CITY of NORWICH DRAFT BROWNFIELD OPPORTUNITY AREA REVITALIZATION PLAN Step 2 Nomination Study City of Norwich, New York

CITY OF NORWICH DRAFT BROWNFIELD OPPORTUNITY AREA REVITALIZATION PLAN Step 2 Nomination Study City of Norwich, New York

December 2017

This interim draft of the City of Norwich BOA Revitalization Plan was prepared with the assistance of:

Shelter Planning and Development

Contact: Robert Murray Phone: (518) 798-6627 Email: [email protected]

The LA Group, PC

Contact: James Martin Phone: (518) 587-8100 Email: [email protected]

E.M. Pemrick and Co.

Contact: Ellen Pemrick Phone: (518) 882-9535 Email: [email protected]

This draft report was prepared for the City of Norwich and the New York State Department of State with state funds provided through the Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Revitalization Plan represents Step 2 of the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program for the City of Norwich. The City of Norwich completed a Pre-Nomination study in January of 2009 that detailed a conceptual strategy for the City. This study produced an initial analysis of key properties and projects throughout the study area that have the potential to be returned to productive use as well as serve as catalysts for future revitalization. This report represents the second step in the planning process. It gives a better-defined, more detailed look at key properties throughout the area initially identified in the Pre-Nomination study. Subsequent analyses by the City and the ROP steering committee resulted in minor changes to the boundary area, and in the removal of a number of properties that were considered non-essential in this process. The final Nomination product (Step #3) will focus more closely on a smaller number of sites.

The Steering Committee was comprised of: Christine Carnrike, Mayor, City of Norwich; Dee DuFour, Director of Finance; Robert Jeffrey, Northeast Classic Car Museum; Peg LoPresti, NBT Bank; Ann Coe, Norwich Business Improvement District Management Association (BIDMA); Anna McLaughlin, McLaughlin’s Dept. Store; and Alex Larsen, Commerce Chenango and Development Chenango.

An Economic and Market Trends Analysis was completed as part of the Revitalization Plan for the City. It analyzes demographic characteristics, economic conditions, industry trends, and real estate market conditions, and is designed to identify potential opportunities for the proposed BOA study area.

An Economic and Market Trends Analysis was completed as part of a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Revitalization Plan for the City of Norwich, New York. It analyzes demographic characteristics, economic conditions, industry trends, and real estate market conditions, and is designed to identify potential opportunities for the proposed BOA study area. Key observations and conclusions are listed below and the full study can be found in Appendix D.

. Low median household income levels and the limited financial assets of residents in the City restrict consumer spending potential. There is a need to attract consumers from the surrounding area and capitalize on the large number of people who work in Norwich but live elsewhere. The development of quality market-rate rental housing in the City could help to attract or retain young professionals who would spend money at local businesses. . Retail development along Route 12 in the Town of Norwich has had a long-term negative impact on the City, drawing businesses, customers, and traffic away from the downtown commercial district. The number of retailers in the City is less than half what it was in 1997, and the City’s share of total retail sales in Chenango County has fallen below 20% (from about 50% in the 1990s). Despite a decrease in the number of eating and drinking places, however, the City accounts for an estimated 35% of the county’s restaurant sales. Food service establishments may be a potential niche area for the City. . The retail trade area, defined as being within a 30-minute drive time of downtown Norwich, encompasses almost all of Chenango County and parts of southwestern Otsego County. Although population trends are similar to those in the City, the trade area has a higher percentage of married-couple families with children, a larger share of households in peak earning years (ages 35-54), and a much higher rate of homeownership than the City overall. . Norwich has many long-running, highly successful festivals and events that draw residents and visitors to the city. These include the Chenango Blues Festival, Gus Macker Basketball Tournament, Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, and the Chenango County Fair. However, the lack of quality lodging in the City serves as a major barrier to increasing the economic impact of tourism and business travel. . . Although the size of the resident labor force has been stagnant to declining over the last 25 years, unemployment rates in Chenango County are typically close to state averages, and the manufacturing sector is in relatively good shape, with several companies investing in expansion projects. . Agriculture, especially dairy farming, represents a major component of the Chenango County economy. Local leaders and organizations recognize the need to promote agricultural economic development and improve the economics of farming. Vacant and underutilized industrial buildings in the City of Norwich, especially those with rail access, could be used for the distribution and processing of local agricultural products. . With the exception of large employers like NBT Bank that have their own buildings, most businesses that utilize offices are small and their needs can usually be met by existing structures in the City. As a result, there is little unmet demand for office space. . The industrial real estate market in Norwich is characterized as “very soft.” Buildings suitable for manufacturing and warehousing generally sit on the market for long periods of time. A property that housed Norwich Aero until parent company Esterline relocated its operations to Mexico has been vacant since June 2016, and the price has been reduced from $1,495,000 to $799,000. . Housing issues in the City of Norwich include a shortage of quality rental units – more than two-thirds of rental housing units are more than 50 years old – and the need for senior housing, including assisted living facilities. There is also an ongoing need for funding to make repairs and improvements to the large number of older housing units.

With assistance from the City’s consultants, the Steering Committee has drafted a set of recommendations for the Revitalization Plan.

Opportunity #1 – Application for Step 3 - Implementation Strategy and Site Assessments Seek advice and assistance from NYSDOS on the next round of funding through the NYSDOS Brownfields Program for Step 3 - Implementation Strategy and Site Assessments. Follow through with the preparation of an application for grant funding to implement the recommendations in this plan.

Opportunity #2 - Create a Powerful and Unified Marketing Message for the City Develop and implement a regional branding and promotion program that will serve as a unifying strategy to promote the region’s quality of life and capacity for innovation. Ideally, it will ignite a strong community pride campaign that builds leadership and entrepreneurship, and results in successful branding through local ambassadors. The branding and marketing plan should focus on the downtown core, Museum District, Heritage Block, and signature cultural events and festivals.

Opportunity #3 - Fully Develop and Implement Plans for the Museum District Create a sense of arrival for the Museum District through the streetscape improvement plan provided in this document. Continue to advance the streetscape concept for the Museum District. Provide an updated cost estimate for improvements. See Appendix E for concept and 2014 cost estimate. Seek funding for implementation of the recommended improvements.

Opportunity #4 - Implement the Heritage Block Redevelopment Project Advance the planned elements in the Concept Plan developed for the Heritage Block Redevelopment. Update the cost estimate and outline a strategy for implementation.

Opportunity #5 - Develop a Feasibility Plan for Borden Avenue Industrial Area Develop a feasibility study with local and regional partners to determine the best set of sustainable uses for the Borden Avenue Industrial Area and explore funding through the Empire State Development Block Program for implementation. Alternative uses for the site including its use as a food production, food processing and greater agricultural economic development hub.

Opportunity #6 – Recapture Lost Corporate Lodging Demand and the Growing Leisure Market Increase the number of rooms and variety of overnight accommodations by attracting and supporting development teams to build a combination of basic and boutique B&BS, small hotels, and “flag” hotels. Investigate the feasibility of marketing the existing stock of Victorian and other architecturally-unique houses as a B&B cluster in the city of Norwich.

Opportunity #7 – Support Entrepreneurship and Create New Opportunities for Business Development and Job Creation Pursue and seek funding for a center such as the “Innovation Space” concept proposed in the 2015 America’s Best Communities application by Commerce Chenango with other partners. This center would be designed to foster ideas, incubate start-up businesses, and improve career mobility. The Entrepreneur Makers Space in Ithaca is a

successful example of a center that has already successfully taken two products to market.

Opportunity #8 - Bring Recreation to the Waterfront Study the feasibility of formally connecting the Hosbach Trail and Chenango Greenway Conservancy Trail to develop a comprehensive trail loop system with a single identifying brand with unified signage. Consider possible additional links to local parks and recreational facilities. Market the trail as a regional attraction. Establish a water trail with appropriate access points and amenities along Chenango River and Canasawacta Creek. Create a trail map to distribute to local businesses, historic society, and municipal offices.

Opportunity #9 –Develop Additional Types of Housing and Improve the Condition of the Existing Housing Stock Develop a 10-year housing plan that supports and incentivizes rental property development/redevelopment specifically targeting low-moderate income individuals, senior citizen, young professionals, executives, and future students. Develop market-rate rental housing for young professionals on upper stories of downtown buildings.

Opportunity #10 – Employ feasible Main Street Revitalization Techniques and Programs to Enhance Norwich’s downtown. Conduct an evaluation of the downtown streetscape that includes identifying the gaps in pedestrian comfort and safety, business beautification and identity, elements of unification, and strong arrival signage. Seek funding to implement comprehensive streetscape improvements throughout the downtown. Develop a long-range plan to demolish, rehabilitate, and reconstruct vacant and underutilized properties through Restore New York grants.

Opportunity #11 – Develop and Implement a Population Action Plan Identify actions to attract skilled entrepreneurial young people and empty nesters who would be attracted to outstanding recreational opportunities, energy efficiencies, and general quality of life of the community; actions to retain youth and the skilled workforce; and actions to repatriate people who once lived in Norwich.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... i

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 The BOA Planning Process ...... 1 1.2 Lead Project Sponsors...... 1 1.3 Project Overview and Description ...... 3 1.4 Community Vision and Goals ...... 6 1.4.1 Vision Statement ...... 6 1.4.2 Community Goals ...... 6 1.4.3 Relationship to Existing Plans ...... 7 1.5 BOA Boundary Description ...... 18

SECTION 2 WORKING WITH THE NORWICH COMMUNITY ...... 20 2.1 Public Participation Plan ...... 20 2.2 Project Partners ...... 20

SECTION 3 ANALYSIS OF OPPORTUNITY AREA ...... 22 3.1 Community and Regional Setting ...... 22 3.2 Inventory and Analysis ...... 23 3.2.1 Existing Land Use and Zoning ...... 23 3.2.2 Land Ownership Patterns ...... 26 3.2.3 Economic Development Areas ...... 27 3.2.4 Brownfields, Underutilized and Vacant Sites ...... 27 3.2.5 Strategic Sites for Redevelopment ...... 30 3.2.6 Parks and Open Space ...... 39 3.2.7 Historic and Archeologically Significant Areas ...... 41 3.2.8 Transportation Systems ...... 43 3.2.9 Infrastructure and Utilities ...... 46 3.2.10 Natural Resources and Environmental Considerations ...... 46 3.3 Economic and Market Trends Analysis ...... 48 3.3.1 Conditions and Trends ...... 48 3.3.2 Findings Summary ...... 59

SECTION 4 THE NORWICH REVITALIZATION PLAN ...... 61 4.1 Description of Analysis and Opportunities ...... 61 4.2 Implementation Strategy ...... 68

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1 Community Context Map ...... 2 Figure 2 Study Area Context Map ...... 19 Table 1 Land Uses by Acreage and Number ...... 24 Table 2 BOA Study Area Parcels ...... 26 Table 3 Land Area for Private and Public Property ...... 27 Table 4 Potential Redevelopment Sites ...... 37 Table 5 Recreational Facilities ...... 39 Table 6 Other Recreational Facilities...... 40 Table 7 Market Area Population ...... 48 Table 8 Market Area Selected Household Characteristics ...... 49 Table 9 Market Area Median Age ...... 49 Table 10 Median Household Income ...... 50 Table 11 Employment by Industry, 2015 Annual Averages ...... 52 Table 12 Major Employers, Greater Norwich/Chenango County ...... 53 Figure 3 Museum District Streetscape Improvements ...... 62 Figure 4 Heritage Block Streetscape Improvements ...... 63

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Public Participation

Appendix B Atlas of Maps Map 1 Community Context Map Map 2 Study Area Context Map Map 3 Brownfield Opportunity Area Boundary Map Map 4 Existing Land Use Map Map 5 Existing Zoning Map Map 6 Underutilized Sites Location Map Map 7 Land Ownership Map Map 8 Parks and Open Space Map Map 9 Building Inventory Map Map 10 Historic and Archeologically Significant Areas Map 11 Transportation Systems Map Map 12 Infrastructure and Utilities Map Map 13 Natural Resources and Environmental Features Map

Appendix C Site Profiles

Appendix D Economic and Market Trends Analysis

Appendix E Streetscape Improvement Concepts

Appendix F SEQR Document

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION

This Nomination Document is the product of the Step 2 Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program for the City of Norwich. With the assistance of the NYS Department of State (DOS) and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), through the Brownfield Opportunities Area (BOA) program, the City of Norwich completed a Pre-Nomination study in 2009 that conceptualized a strategy for revitalization of the area representing the entire east side of Route 12 (Broad Street) to the Chenango River. This Pre-Nomination study produced an initial analysis of key properties/projects throughout the study area that have the potential to be returned to productive use, and that could serve as catalysts to further revitalization of the city.

The properties identified through the course of the Pre-Nomination were selected if they were critical to the redevelopment and success of the City of Norwich. Although not all “brownfields” in the popular sense, the City followed the NYSDOS’s definition of a brownfield in the selection of parcels as any vacant, abandoned, contaminated, or underutilized property. In this way, the City was able to highlight/evaluate/choose/recommend both traditional brownfield sites, and smaller, scattered neighborhood properties that could contribute to the economy, health, and standard of living in the community.

The first chapter introduces the Nomination Document to provide a description of the study area and summary of agreed vision, goals and objectives.

1.1 The BOA Planning Process

The BOA program provides the resources to plan for the revitalization of brownfield sites and vacant and underutilized properties in the City of Norwich. The City was awarded a NYSDOS grant to complete a Pre-Nomination Study, the first step in establishing a BOA for the Village. Completed in February 2009 and titled the Opportunities to Revitalize Norwich, this study produced an initial analysis of key properties/projects throughout the study area that have the potential to be returned to productive use, and that could serve as catalysts to further revitalization of the city.

The second step in the planning process represents the current effort, or the Step 2 Nomination Phase, results in a better-defined, more detailed look at key properties throughout the area initially identified in the Pre-Nomination study. Subsequent analyses by the City and the Steering Committee resulted in minor changes to the boundary area, and in the removal of a number of properties that were considered non-essential in this process. The final Nomination product (Step 3) will focus more closely on a smaller number of sites.

1.2 Lead Project Sponsors

The City of Norwich, acting as lead agency pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and its implementing regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617), has prepared this Nomination Document for the adoption and implementation of the BOA Plan. The BOA Plan was prepared in accordance with the guidelines established by NYSDOS and NYSDEC for the Nomination Study (Step 2), phase of the BOA Program. NYSDOS and

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

NYSDEC were joint state agency leads for the Norwich BOA, overseeing and providing guidance to the City of Norwich and their appointed study team.

The Mayor and the City Council are the local official and the lead agency, respectively, responsible for this BOA program and will work in cooperation with all city departments. The BOA Revitalization Plan Steering Committee will be responsible for participating in the planning process with the project consultant team - The LA Group, Shelter Planning and Development, and EM Pemrick and Co. - guiding the planning process. The following represents a list of agencies consulted during the planning process: . New York State Department of State – Office of Planning and Development: division of Development . New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); . New York State Department Health (DOH) . New York State Department of Transportation (DOT); . New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP); . New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPS); . New York State of Office of General Services (OGS);

Additionally, the City of Norwich formed a partnership with the community through various workshops and community gatherings to establish a greater sense of community investment and civic pride. As such, staff has worked directly with the public to involve, educate, and imagine Norwich’s future. Stakeholders participating in the BOA process include but are not limited by representation from: . Commerce Chenango . Norwich Merchants Association . Norwich Business Improvement District Management Association, Inc. (BIDMA) . Norwich Northeast Car Museum . Chenango County Board of Supervisors . Chenango County Department of Planning and Development . Chenango County Historical Society . Bullthistle Model Railroad Society . Morrisville College – Norwich Campus . Irmin A Mody Real Estate . Hayworth Management Co. . Made in Chenango . Hercules Properties, LLC . The Norwich Brewery . McLaughlin’s Dept. Store

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. NBT Bank . The Colonia Theatre . Chenango Arts Council . Chenango Blues Fest

1.3 Project Overview and Description

There are a number of key sites throughout the city with some potential for revitalization. The redevelopment or expansion of these properties is expected to support the goals and objectives identified by the public for incorporation into the City’s overall revitalization strategy.

The study area boundary encompasses the entire city east of Broad Street, and includes 33 identified properties, not counting the rail beds which were also included for examination. These sites generally relate to the industrial and commercial activities that sprang up along the two railroad lines that ran through the east side of the city. These railroads are now inactive. Papers to abandon the line closest to Broad Street, the Susquehanna and Western, have just recently been filed, while the other line has long been abandoned and represents a significant corridor of privately and publically owned vacant land. In the past, the S & W provided rail access to a number of areas within the study area, including the sizeable parcel of land at the southern extremity of the city, as well as the Borden Avenue Industrial Area or “Northern Industrial Complex” (as identified in the City of Norwich Comprehensive Plan).

While a majority of identified sites are zoned for industrial activities, they constitute a variety of uses including industrial, commercial, and public/community services. There exists a significant amount of vacant land within the study area, contained especially within the northern and southern portion.

Nearly 127 acres of properties were identified by the community as being valuable to examine for their potential for revitalization and redevelopment. The parcels vary considerably in size, ranging from .13 to 32.92 acres, with an average of 3.62. . The variation in size is due largely to the nature and history of land use patterns and human activity. Many smaller parcels were once a portion of a larger industrial site. Some were used as rail lines and now are irregularly shaped. Others, such as those on the northern and southern peripheries of the study area, remain quite large and have not been greatly subdivided.

The formation of a strategy for the revitalization or redevelopment of vacant, underutilized, abandoned or environmentally problematic sites in the Opportunities to Revitalize Norwich Program (ORNP) study area will have multiple benefits for the City of Norwich including:

New Development and Uses - Vacant sites that are returned to productive use represent a reinvestment in the community and an effort to improve dense neighborhoods in which many of these sites are located. In cases where a site is still in active use, this program will provide a roadmap for property owners to expand and improve these uses in a way that reflects the needs, desires and creativity of the Norwich community. This document also seeks to build on the initiatives recently undertaken to improve sewer and water infrastructure servicing the Borden Avenue Industrial Area, the largest area of underutilized land in the City. Furthermore, any land

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139 that is placed back on the tax roll, or is perhaps providing municipal taxes for the first time, will provide Norwich with additional resources that can then be reinvested into the community and leveraged to further develop the city economically.

There are a variety of community needs that a number of vacant and/or underutilized properties could address with new uses, including: . More senior housing opportunities . More attainable housing units . Expansion of the local tax base . Increased recreational amenities . Exploration of niche markets

Businesses and Housing The “City of Norwich Zoning Map” shows that commercial, residential, and industrial uses are integrated within a relatively small geographic area. Residential areas for example, are often immediately adjacent to properties zoned and used for industrial purposes. The redevelopment or expansion of identified properties presents the potential for a significant interplay between new business and industry, and those residents living in close proximity. A majority of the study area falls in a state-designated Environmental Zone, and signifies a high level of economic distress for residents near included sites. One goal for the program could be the creation of either low to moderate income housing, or business providing employment opportunities for the same population segment

During the first public meeting a large emphasis was placed on increasing the amount of senior housing in the community to reflect changing demographics in the city. A number of sites identified through this study would be suitable locations for housing of this type, including the Mitchell Street Site, State Street Site, and the East Main Street School Site.

This program is largely an economic development tool. The ability to draw new businesses to the city and expand those that exist may help to address the underrepresented retail sector in Norwich and the County at large.1 A desire was also expressed by the community to see an overall improvement of the economic base in Norwich by developing niche markets as well as forming a tech-based sector within the city.

New Employment Opportunities and Additional Revenues With the shrinking of the manufacturing sector and the subsequent loss of jobs in Norwich, the ORNP anticipates creating a strategy that will reinforce the aims of the Greater Norwich Empire Zone, and various economic development agencies operating within the county, in their attempts to provide a competitive business environment, as well as an increased number of job opportunities for city residents. Currently underutilized land within the city, particularly along Borden Avenue, has the potential to accommodate a large number of new commercial and industrial firms. Businesses drawn to locate in the city will improve the local tax base, as well as provide the added benefit of removing blighted structures and restoring properties to productive use.

1 Chenango County Economic Development Strategic Plan

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

New Public Amenities With proper site design and input from the community, significant areas of land within the ORNP study area could be redeveloped and portions of land set aside for parks, trails, fishing access, and other forms of passive recreation. Large portions of the northern and southern parts of the city are relatively undeveloped, particularly those areas adjacent to the New York, Susquehanna & Western (NYS&W) rail line within the study area. Any redevelopment should take into account the need to expand recreational opportunities in the city. The public commitment to such amenities can be observed in the nascent Hosbach Trail, which extends through the far southern extremity of the study area and onto city-owned land immediately south of the city in the Town of Norwich. The “Hosbach Site” identified through this study is considered the primary area dedicated to expanding recreational opportunities and public access to the waterfront.

Improving Environmental Quality The city has seen recent improvements to the quality of the Chenango River due to upgrades to the Sewage Treatment Facility and related improvements.2 Any actions taken to redevelop sites, especially those in the northern and southern reaches of the study area adjacent to the river, need to take into account the effect of these activities on water quality and public access. The study area is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the considerable natural amenities and opportunities for public access on municipal land along the River.

The remediation and redevelopment of potentially contaminated sites often involves the removal and disposal of contaminants. This process leads to an improvement in local environmental quality, as well as an increase in quality of life, health, and safety of those residents living in close proximity to these sites. Most of the study area has been designated a New York State Environmental Zone, possessing a poverty rate of at least 20% and an unemployment rate of over 125% of the New York State average. The strategy outlined through this planning process and subsequent redevelopment can also help to address environmental injustices, such as a disproportionate concentration of abandoned, vacant, or blighted properties in areas of higher poverty and economic distress.

While many of the identified properties in Norwich will not have contamination problems, their inclusion in the study is still important for the purposes of developing an overall plan for revitalization.

2 City of Norwich Application to NYS DOS for the BOA program

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

1.4 Community Vision, Goals and Objectives

1.4.1 Vision Statement

Through the efforts of the project Steering Committee, comprised of citizen stakeholders, and as a result of community feedback from the first public meeting, a vision statement and set of community goals was established to guide the planning process.

10-Year Vision Statement “Norwich is a close-knit community friendly to both neighbors and business. The City has enjoyed a long industrial history, but has begun to reinvent itself as a new hub of both technology oriented business and niche markets for the entire region. Vacant or underutilized land has been used to accommodate many new firms of varying sizes, as well as new housing units for the large senior population in Norwich. Partnering with the local colleges, the City is also retaining a new, younger crowd, attracted to the expanding job market, unique hometown feel of the downtown, and recreational opportunities afforded by the various riverside parks and trails. As employment opportunities have improved, so has overall housing condition as residents have begun to reinvest in their properties. Quality of life is on the upswing in Norwich.”

1.4.2 Community Goals

The vision statement is supported by a number of related goals that are generally shared by the community and that may function themselves as incremental steps towards improved economic development and quality of life.

Goal 1 – Create a powerful and unified marketing message Goal 2 – Develop and implement plans for all the Special Overlay Districts Goal 3 – Implement the Heritage Block Redevelopment Project Goal 4 – Develop a master plan for the Borden Avenue Industrial Area Goal 5 – Recapture lost corporate lodging demand and the growing leisure market Goal 6 – Support entrepreneurship and create new opportunities for business development and job creation Goal 7 – Bring recreational opportunities to the waterfront Goal 8 – Develop additional types of housing and improve the condition of the existing housing stock Goal 9 – Employ feasible main street revitalization techniques and programs to enhance Norwich’s downtown. Goal 10 – Develop and implement a Population Action Plan

A number of specific suggestions were also made by individuals present at the first public meeting, including: . The use of land near Borden Avenue for the construction of a renewable energy facility that also functions as an educational center and hub for urban agriculture . Provide facilities for public camping along the waterfront . Utilize vacant land along State Street for senior housing opportunities . Enforce time limits on property owner involvement in the program

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

This public input shaped the recommendations in this report for the revitalization of identified sites. The goals and objectives identified through this process are also reflected in other documents, and provide a framework for future phases of this and other programs related to the development of the city. Other plans/documents that complement this study are:

City of Norwich Comprehensive Plan The City Comprehensive Plan lists a number of goals that are similar to those identified through the Opportunity to Revitalize Norwich Program (ORNP), and include: . Create a diverse economy by investing in unique technologies . Develop a strong small-business base . Expand employment opportunities . Create and maintain residential neighborhoods of choice and quality . Develop a park and recreation strategy that enables the City to establish parks, trails, and recreation and cultural programs

Chenango County Economic Development Strategic Plan This document comprehensively analyzes economic conditions within Chenango County and presents the following goals: . Encourage Business and Workforce Development . Foster Downtown Revitalization . Build Tourism . Grow Agriculture and Forestry Industries . Install Needed Infrastructure . Maintain Ongoing Communication and Collaboration

These goals are further supported by a number of strategies that complement and reinforce the stated goals of the ORNP, including: . Provide a friendly business environment to attract and retain new businesses . Establish partnerships with local institutions, governments, and businesses . Promote the County’s significant natural recreational resources . Pursue agricultural development as economic development . Provide crucial infrastructure to areas with economic potential

1.4.3 Relationship to Existing Plans

Norwich benefits from a strong foundation of regional and local planning. These studies and plans lay out a framework for a consistent set of economic development planning goals that help shape the recommendations in this BOA. A listing of these local, county and regional plans with a summary of their findings is found in the narrative below.

Local Planning Initiatives

City of Norwich Comprehensive Plan (2014) This plan outlines all of the significant economic developments and achievements in Norwich since the 2003 Comprehensive Plan was completed. These are as follows:

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. New York State ended the Empire Zone Program. . Emergence of natural gas industry interest in developing Marcellus Shale gas deposits . Subsequent statewide ban on ban hydraulic fracturing in 2014 . The NYS&W Railroad declared a Suspension of Service, which ended rail traffic on the line. . Apple Converting printing company ceased operations at its Hale Street location. . Rite Aid Corporation acquired Eckerd Drugs and consolidated their Norwich presence into one store, leaving one vacant. . Agro-Farma established their corporate headquarters at the former Procter and Gamble site in the town of Norwich. . The City completed Step 1 of its Brownfields rehabilitation plan and is continuing with Step 2. . The Norwich Business Improvement District Management Association, Inc. (BIDMA) was successful in receiving three New York Main Street grants totaling $900,000 for downtown rehabilitation . Byrne Dairy built a new convenience store, gasoline pumps, and laundromat at the corner of East Main Street and Silver Street. A Phase II environmental assessment provided cost estimates for the subsequent clean‐up of the site, paving the way for its successful redevelopment. . Commerce Chenango conducted two small business development programs. . With the assistance of Restore New York (Restore NY) grant funding, the City rehabilitated the former Frames Unlimited building on East Main Street and returned the property to private commercial use. . CWS constructed a major computer-controlled warehouse addition at its Plant 5 facility on East Main Street.

The 2014 Plan acknowledges that there are a number of continuing issues, opportunities, and challenges for Norwich, including: 1. A number of commercial and industrial buildings in the city appear to be held for speculative reasons rather than productive use. 2. Many young adults do not have the job skills necessary to enter the labor market. 3. The percentage of Norwich residents who are of working age and are participating in the workforce lags the national average. 4. In the event natural gas exploration does move forward in the region, how does the city position itself as a hub for ancillary business attraction? 5. Taking the next steps to develop the Museum District as a more unified tourism attraction. 6. The relative underutilization of the Borden Avenue industrial area. 7. The increase in retail competition immediately outside the city. 8. Continuing challenges to making wireless communications available throughout the city. 9. Announcement of closing of Norwich Aero in late 2015 with projected loss of 120 jobs

Greater Norwich, New York Community Revitalization Plan (2015) This was an application to the America’s Best Communities competition developed for what the Community of Greater Norwich, a 175-square-mile area encompassing the Northern New York State Route 12 Corridor which is the cultural, commercial, and civic backbone of Chenango

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

County (comprised of the City of Norwich, and the contiguous Towns of Norwich, North Norwich, Oxford, and Sherburne, including the incorporated Villages of Oxford and Sherburne). Greater Norwich’s goals are to lead civic engagement, volunteerism and community development, and provide a vibrant downtown showcasing the character, architecture, artistic nature, and diverse history of the community. Although Greater Norwich was not successful in getting grant funds to finance the initiatives proposed, it continues to support local “farm-to- table” initiatives, and will further develop the existing relationships between Chenango County farms and the world-class restaurants in the urban centers.

Opportunities for Revitalize Norwich ‐ Norwich BOA Pre‐Nomination Study (2009) The Opportunities to Revitalize Norwich Program (ORNP) is a community-driven initiative that developed a strategy for the revitalization of areas that have been negatively impacted by vacant, underutilized, abandoned, or contaminated properties. It provided the foundation for the Step 2 Nomination through the NYSDOS’s BOA program. Goals for the program included, improving housing opportunities for a rising senior population, increasing the local tax base, exploring niche markets, attracting technology-based businesses, increased opportunities for public access to waterfront, and attention to the environmental sensitivity of specific sites.

County Planning Initiatives

Guiding Chenango ‐ Chenango County Comprehensive Plan (2016) The Chenango County Comprehensive Plan is a statement of policy designed to guide future development patterns to prevent haphazard and costly sprawl and protect valuable farmland. It serves each municipality in its individual planning process by: . Encouraging development of a sustainable economic base. . Aiding in obtaining state and federal assistance. . Reporting key issues facing county residents . Promoting political and technical coordination in community development. . Injecting long-range considerations into the determination of short-range actions. . Stimulating public interest, participation and responsibility in municipal affairs.

Chenango County Economic Development Strategic Plan Update (2014-2020) Chenango County’s economic development partners are developing a prosperous and business friendly economic climate which provides services and support for: business development, retention, and expansion; infrastructure and housing development; education and workforce; and the growth of tourism, cultural, and arts activities.

The strategies that support the economic development goals for Chenango County to achieve over the next five years are as follows: . Provide business development support, access to resources, and access to capital . Facilitate project applications for regional and state support . Facilitate appropriate site selection, site development and infrastructure installation . Identify key weaknesses and areas of opportunity in local workforce, facilitate communications and collaborations between employers and educators, and seek funding for workforce development . Prioritize efforts to support businesses with employee recruitment

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. Support increased enrollment at Morrisville State College’s Norwich campus and provide support for its development . Conduct a feasibility study for a manufacturing training center in partnership with local manufacturers . Make capital available to microenterprises and downtown businesses, and; encourage support of local small businesses . Employ well-known main street revitalization techniques and programs to enhance Chenango’s downtowns, central business districts, and village centers . Support and incentivize rental property development/redevelopment specifically targeting low-moderate income individuals, senior citizens, and young professionals, and seek opportunities for single-family housing market development . Work to increase collaboration amongst property owners and communities, and assist with marketing, communication, and funding applications . Promote the county’s cultural events, festivals, tourism properties, natural resources, heritage areas, and recreational opportunities as a vital component to Chenango’s quality of life, and facilitate cooperation and communication amongst all stakeholders . Invest resources to resolve Chenango County’s current shortcomings in the lodging & hospitality industry . Attract State support and regional funding to assist in the growth of cultural, recreational, and agri-tourism opportunities throughout Chenango County . Support agricultural economic development through access to resources, advocacy, and capital . Support the development and expansion of forestry industries, maple production, and fallow-land production . Coordinate marketing and communication efforts for the development and distribution of local agricultural products and the attraction of new producers

Chenango County Lodging Study (2014) The purpose of the study was to perform an analysis of demand for lodging in Chenango County and to forecast the gap in the number of rooms, style of accommodations and desirable rate levels for target market groups during the next several years to develop recommendations regarding the preferred locations for additional lodging facilities within Chenango County. The major issue expressed by the market groups was that the condition of local lodging did not meet their needs and expectations.

Chenango County has the smallest representation of all of the Central NY tourism market. With occupancy rates in the marginal range, the viability of the existing small hotels and inns is decreasing. The main strategy for future lodging is to position Chenango County to capture the growing leisure market and recapture lost corporate lodging activity. At the existing “independent hotels”, this means actively marketing to returning guests, filling “market niches”, leveraging satisfied guests, and effectively using technology and the Internet. At existing “flag hotels”, this means differentiating from the competition on the basis of price, quality and service. The Howard Johnson’s and Super 8 should be upgraded so they are competitive with properties in nearby communities and meet the minimum standards of the market groups. It is also recommended that the County attract a development team to build a new 85-100 room “flag hotel” with an on-site restaurant.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Tourism development efforts in the City of Norwich should focus on working with the Northeast Classic Car Museum and create other related tourism venues and destinations to grow the city into a major year-around regional destination.

Chenango County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan Update (2012) This document was developed to highlight the conditions, trends, and importance of local agriculture along with the pressures impacting farming. It recommends local strategies that can strengthen agriculture and retain farmland. Unlike other regions, findings showed that the loss of farmland did not result from housing development and commercial growth but rather from the abandonment of farmland regrowth into woodland. According to the Plan, “adverse long term trends and conditions of the industry have taken a heavy toll on the capacity and health of local agriculture, farm families, farm support businesses, and rural economies.” It recommends that the Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board implement the following strategies at the local level to strengthen agriculture and retain farmland in the County: . Encourage the utilization and expansion of the local Farmers Markets . Provide assistance with market research and marketing of farm products . Expand access to regional markets from Central New York to the Eastern Seaboard . Include agricultural land protection with other industry development planning . Develop a mechanism to monitor rural development and provide for uniform reporting to the county government by Towns regarding applications for and approvals of agricultural land use changes . Educate town and county boards on creating comprehensive land use plans and the application of legal mechanisms for the protection of farmland

Chenango County Hazard Mitigation Plan (2008 Update) This plan outlines county assets that could potentially be at risk from natural and manmade hazards and identifies mitigation actions that can help reduce or eliminate long-term risks. A total of eight natural hazards of concern were identified as significantly affecting the entire planning area: drought; extreme temperatures; flooding (riverine, flash, dam failure, and ice jam); infestation (West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Sirex Woodwasp, and Emerald Ash Borer); natural gas incidents; severe storms (windstorms, thunderstorms, hail, lightning, hurricanes, tropical storms and tornados); severe winter storms (heavy snow, blizzards, ice storms, nor’easters); and wildfires.

The City of Norwich has been an active member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since 1987. The current effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps are dated November 26, 2010. The community’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (FDPO) in Chapter 273 of the local code was last updated in October 2010. The community is currently in good standing in the NFIP and has no outstanding compliance issues. During the preparation of the FDPO, the City identified the following vulnerabilities: . The major problem areas in the community are along the Canasawacta Creek on the west and south sides of the city and the Chenango River on the east side of the city. Both areas have suffered from repetitive losses related to flooding, particularly in the last eight years.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. There's been damage to City infrastructure, including parks and the City pool, and also damage to dozens of houses. One property was bought out in a state buyout program after suffering unrepairable damage. . In addition, the City's wastewater treatment plant, about a mile south of the city, has suffered repetitive and significant damage from flooding. After the latest flood in 2011, the plant suffered approximately $800,000 in damages. This was the third major flood to impact the plant since 2005. . The Perry Browne School is located in the Special Flood Hazard Area. While it has not suffered structural damages to date due to flooding, major flood events have threatened the structure and future risk to flooding is identified as a concern.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database identifies nine TRI facilities in Chenango County as of 2005. TRI facilities are those required to report on chemical storage and use based on particular volumes of specified chemicals stored and used. These TRI facilities store or use the following chemicals: copper; toluene; vinyl acetate; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; nitrate compounds; methanol; lead; propylene; nickel; and nitric acid. The City of Norwich has one site at Route 320 on Woods Corners owned by OGS that produces the following chemicals: methanol; hydrazine; and chloroacetic acid.

Regional Planning Initiatives

New York State Route 12 Corridor Study Phase II (October 2008) New York State Route 12 (NYS Route 12) covers an 84-mile section from Binghamton to Utica. The focus area of the study includes the area from U.S. Route 11 in the Town of Chenango, Broome County through the Towns of Greene, Oxford, Norwich, North Norwich, and Sherburne in Chenango County; Hamilton and Brookfield in Madison County; Sangerfield, Marshall, Paris, and New Hartford in Oneida County; and ends at the New York State Thruway (I-90) in the City of Utica. With direct access to Interstate highways in both the Binghamton and Utica areas, this route has experienced growth in traffic over the years, and the transportation problems that coincide with that growth. The growth along the corridor has resulted in an increase in heavy vehicles, turning movements, pedestrian activity, on-street parking accommodations, and traffic signals.

There are several sources of delay along the NYS Route 12 corridor. Urbanized areas, seen in the Chenango Bridge and Norwich sections, introduce delay with heavy turning movements, pedestrian activity, on-street parking accommodations, and traffic signals. The suburban and rural areas of the corridor create delay by including agricultural vehicles, turning movements into driveways, and limited passing opportunities. Improving the connection between the City of Norwich and the parallel NYS Route 8 corridor may improve travel times and take advantage of the existing expressway sections near New Hartford.

Southern Tier East (STE) Regional Planning Development Board – Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (2015) The STE region includes the eight counties of Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Tioga, and Tompkins in upstate New York. The mission of the STE is to partner with

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

member counties to identify and address multi-county issues in order to continue to improve the quality of life within the region. City of Norwich supported projects include: . Developing the Heritage Block Redevelopment Project. . Constructing a new water treatment plant. . Designing & installing Museum District Streetscape Elements on Rexford Street. . Attracting new industry to Esterline’s impending Norwich Aero Plant Closure (loss of 150+ FTE). . Converting 27 streetlights to utilize LED technologies. . Building a Child Care Center with the Family Enrichment Network. . Installing a new elevator for Flanagan Research Center.

Strategic Economic Development Plan (REDC Southern Tier) (2011–2016) The Southern Tier region uses a collaborative approach to leverage its globally competitive advantages to attract talent and investment for the development of industry clusters. The focus is on increasing the size and prosperity of the region’s workforce through new business creation based on high-technology discoveries and other entrepreneurial activities, while ensuring healthy communities and protecting the natural beauty and resources of the region. The following series of strategic objectives were developed for the plan: . Optimize use of the region’s abundant natural resources, research and technology transfer, academic and business innovation and training programs to build a thriving energy sector for the benefit of residents, institutions, businesses and major industrial centers. . Build the region’s advanced manufacturing sector and transportation industry into a global leader and technological hub for next generation development. . Develop cutting edge technology and expand the use of sophisticated diagnostic tools and care methods, together with training of health care providers and technical personnel, to strengthen the healthcare industry while creating a healthier population and workforce region-wide. . Expand and increase the sustainability of agricultural and forestry ventures through research and new product development, promotion, business infrastructure development, and utilization of new technology with a focus on the growth of value added product development such as cheese, yogurt, wine, beer and spirits. . Strengthen the economic development backbone through community revitalization, infrastructure for shovel ready sites, broadband infrastructure, workforce development; business and technology development; tourism and waterfront development. . Increase the amount of technology being commercialized by regional research sources, the number of companies being formed in the region, the success rate of companies being formed, and the number of students educated in the region that then remain in the region to start companies. . Move the impoverished population into the workforce by pursuing projects and initiatives.

Southern Tier Upstate Revitalization Initiative Plan (2015) Southern Tier was the winning region for $500 million over a five-year span through Governor Cuomo’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) in 2015. By the end of the five years, over 10,200 jobs are expected to be created and $3.4 billion is expected to be generated back into the

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Southern Tier economy. The Southern Tier will be a world-recognized leader in agriculture technology and serve as a key food supplier for the East Coast of the United States. Leveraging the global reach and strengths of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, together with the region’s natural assets and strong private sector investment, a strategic mix of projects will transform and grow agriculture and food production, processing and distribution across the region, while also strengthening links to growing tourism and manufacturing industries. Strategies include: 1. Develop and implement a regional branding and promotion program that will serve as a unifying theme to promote the region’s quality of life and capacity for innovation, and ignite a fierce community pride that compels residents to be regional ambassadors. 2. Strengthen the region’s tourism and community assets and use them to promote the region to visitors, prospective talent and investors. 3. Attract young talent via college towns and small towns. This includes strengthening the college town corridor that winds through the region and retaining more graduates of the region’s world-class academic institutions, which attract more than 60,000 students each year. 4. Advance commercialization of technology by maximizing innovation and intellectual capital among private-sector and academic institutions. 5. Attract and nurture a critical mass of entrepreneurs by promoting the commercialization of research from the region’s sources of innovation, retaining the brightest college graduates and providing an entrepreneurial ecosystem including incubators, seed capital, support services and attractive communities. 6. Advance New York State initiatives, including Hot Spots, Global NY, Veterans Initiative, NY Rising, Opportunity Agenda, 76 West, NYSTAR, Cleaner Greener and Brownfield Redevelopment.

The Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Five-Year Strategic Plan for Capitalizing on Appalachia’s Opportunities (2016-2020) ARC’s 2016–2020 Strategic Plan identified the most significant opportunities for moving the Region’s economy forward and the most important building blocks or capacities that would need to be created or strengthened for those opportunities to be advanced. There is a wide range of new economic opportunities in the Region’s growing sectors—including local food systems, tourism, health care, manufacturing, and diversified energy—and the Region has a foundation of strong and valued natural and cultural assets to build on. ARC will pursue the following activities, which were informed by input from the Region’s residents during the strategic planning process: . Identify, document, and proactively share exemplary practices and new ideas with the Region’s communities on a regular, timely, and consistent basis so they can maximize economic opportunities. . Develop and share data and research that is actionable and useful to communities as they make strategic decisions about their assets and the economic opportunities that offer the best future prospects. . Advocate for Appalachia and develop co-investment partnerships with other organizations at all levels—local, regional, national, and global. . Provide technical assistance and referrals so communities have the capacity and connections needed to pursue opportunities.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. Work with local development districts in the Region and help build their capacity to support local communities. . Create and effectively use advisory councils and other regional networks to provide input on sectors and building blocks that contribute to regional prosperity. . Invest in pilot initiatives to demonstrate new and promising practices in the Region. . Catalyze, facilitate, and strengthen partnerships and collaboration across the Region. . Foster coordination among the range of economic development plans and initiatives taking root in the Region. . Provide regular opportunities for public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders to inform ARC’s investments.

Grant Programs and Projects

The City of Norwich has received three Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) totaling $1.25 million since 2000. These included housing rehabilitation, comprehensive planning, and economic development projects. Over the same time period the City was awarded five Department of Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) grants totaling $2.42 million for construction rehabilitation projects. Some of the most significant grants and projects are outlined below:

New York State Main Street Program The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (NYSHCR) awarded the Norwich Business Improvement District Management Association, Inc. (BIDMA) $400,000 for façade and interior renovations of buildings throughout the downtown. Participating property owners may recover up to $50,000 of eligible costs to improve the interior of their building, and up to $10,000 for façade, on a dollar for dollar matching basis.

New York State HOME Program (Multi-family rental rehab) The City has been awarded $500,000 by the NYSHCR to provide grants to the owners of multiple family rental properties in order to address and repair serious structural issues that represent a barrier to safe, affordable rental housing.

New York State HOME Program (Home ownership subsidy) NYSHRC has also assisted the Norwich Housing Authority with a grant of nearly $400,000 to help subsidize the purchase price of 12 senior housing units.

Office of Community Renewal – Targeted Rehabilitation This agency administers U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) monies state wide for use in various community development activities. Housing rehabilitation funding could be pursued to address the severely substandard housing along State Street.

Restore New York (Restore NY) Funding is available from Empire State Development Corporation (ESD) to redevelop primarily vacant and underutilized properties in established urban areas. Eligible activities include demolition, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Potential projects might include the East Main Street School, which currently lies vacant. Under this program the City demolished three

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

dilapidated residences and constructed three new homes for moderate income first time buyers. It is in the process of implementing a Restore NY program awarded from previous grant cycles.

National Park Service - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program The Chenango Greenway Conservancy has received technical assistance from the RTCA to develop a comprehensive greenway or green infrastructure plan.

Norwich Heritage Block Redevelopment Project The Heritage Block is an one‐block area in a highly distressed section of downtown Norwich between Mechanic Street and Lackawanna Avenue bounded by North Broad Street on the west and Lackawanna Lane to the east. The owners of 42 and 44‐46 North Broad Street plan to establish a brewpub, and a “100‐Mile Market” that offers food products from within a 100‐mile radius, on the ground floor. It is anticipated that the new investment will help to revitalize an area of North Broad Street that has many vacant commercial properties. The Heritage Block consists of six deteriorated commercial structures and an interior parking area. In December 2014, the City of Norwich was awarded a grant package worth a total of $904,000. An additional $817,000 in private investment has been committed and will be leveraged to create 32 construction jobs.

Grants awarded consisted of the following: . $120,000 from ESD for restoration of the Heritage Block . $250,000 from the New York Main Street grant program through the New York State Office of Community Renewal awarded for facade and building renovations . $534,000 from Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Green Innovation Grant Program will pay for green infrastructure and streetscape improvements . $120,000 from the 2016 Restore NY Round 4 Grant Application to demolish a vacant multi-residential building and construct a new single-family building at 45 Silver Street A # County Applicant Project Title Description Agency/ Cobbler’s Square Apartments This is the completed adaptive reuse of the former Norwich Shoe at 11 State Street that includes a community building and 34 family units. The project was able to access NYSHCR’s Green Building Initiative to qualify for the Low Income Tax Credits (LIHTC) program.

City of Norwich Engineering Study The City of Norwich will complete an engineering report to evaluate and identify sources of inflow and infiltration into the City's sanitary sewer collection system through a 2015 DEC Engineering Planning Grant in the amount of $100,000.

Howard Johnson Hotel Rehabilitation JEGG Realty Norwich LLC will remodel and rebrand the Howard Johnson facility in downtown Norwich and brand it as a Best Western. The hotel will be updated through an Empire State Development Market NY 2015 grant of $239,840.

Railroad Revitalization Funding in the amount of $772,000 was awarded in 2011 by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) for repairs following the 2006 floods. Initiated in 2006 Commerce

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Chenango, this funding leveraged an additional $4.7 million from the federal Economic Development Administration. Matching funds in the amount of $400,000 were supplied by NYS&W, Chenango County, the Develop Chenango Corporation, and the County IDA.

Sunrise Family Farm Expansion Sunrise is a dairy manufacturer based in the Town of Norwich. Its primary business is contract manufacturing. The company sources milk from local dairy farms to produce yogurt, buttermilk, crème fraiche, and other products for new and existing food businesses. In 2012, the company received a $275,000 grant from ESD to help finance a $3.4 million expansion of its operations in the Village of Greene. The project expanded the company’s capacity by 250%, created or retained 49 jobs, and increased Sunrise’s annual sales from $2 million in 2012 to $15 million in 2013.

Norwich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Norwich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. received $2,000,000 in Excelsior Tax Credits in 2011 to make upgrades to the existing manufacturing facility to advance competitiveness. With $32 million leveraged, there were 27 jobs created and 334 retained.

Norwich Water Treatment Plant Flooding at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) results in significant and repetitive damage to the screw pumps and increases the risk of wastewater flowing into the Chenango River. Therefore, the plant needs to rent high capacity pumps to keep the plant online during flooding. From the latest flood in 2011, the plant suffered approximately $800,000 in damages.

In an effort to reduce the likelihood of a system overflow, the City received a $35,000 grant to replace the Wheeler Avenue Water Tank. The City secured an additional $62,000 grant through the USDA to pay for a hazardous material clean-up after it was revealed that lead-based paint was originally used to paint the tank. Earlier this year, the project, which was initially estimated at a total $2.7 million, was upped to approximately $3.4 million due largely to the unforeseen costs of lead abatement and incidental expenses. The city council approved up to $780,000 in additional bonds for the project at a special meeting called in July. According to Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson, the goal of the project is to utilize as little of the approved funds as possible while sufficiently upgrading the Wheeler Avenue Water Tank.

U.S. Representative Richard Hanna recently announced a $1.85 million federal loan for the City of Norwich to assist with the water tank upgrade. The loan was made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program. The City also received a $750,000 grant from Rural Development. The funds will be used for the demolition of the existing water storage tank and valve vault, and to replace it with a pre-stressed concrete water tank and control valve vault, a storm water detention basin, and an access drive from Wheeler Avenue to the new tank.

Norwich Wastewater Treatment Plant In 2009, Norwich received $500,000 for the replacement and renovation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Special Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Chenango County Child Care Center As an Opportunity Agenda Priority Project for the Southern Tier, the City of Norwich was granted $100,000 in Empire State Development Capital Funding in 2012. The Family Enrichment Network is acquiring and renovating a space to support 6 classrooms and indoor/outdoor spaces to serve 64 low-income children. The goal of the project is to address the child care needs of impoverished people seeking employment in downtown Norwich.

Greater Norwich ABC The city received an America’s Best Communities (ABC) award of $50,000 to plan for “Innovation Space” in downtown Norwich. The “Agriculture Innovation Space” will spearhead the local “farm-to-table” initiatives, and will further develop the existing relationships between Chenango County farms and the world-class restaurants in the City of Norwich.

Southern Tier URI Plan In December 2015, the Southern Tier (along with the Central New York and Finger Lakes regions) was designated a “Best Plan Awardee” as part of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) program aimed at improving the upstate New York economy. The Southern Tier will receive a $500 million allocation of URI funds over five years to implement its revitalization plan, creating more than 10,000 jobs and leveraging $2.5 billion in private investment. The agricultural initiative calls for a “strategic mix of projects [to] transform and grow agriculture and food production, processing and distribution across the region, while also strengthening links to growing tourism and manufacturing industries.” These projects include the construction or expansion of processing facilities for dairy, value‐added foods and meat, and the creation of a food hub network to facilitate the distribution of agricultural products around the state.

1.5 BOA Boundary Description

It was concluded during the first organizational meeting for the ORNP program that the city would benefit from altering the study area boundary from its original position established during the application process. The resultant boundary is simpler and follows built and natural features adjacent to the identified study sites.

The study area encompasses the entire city east of Broad Street with an eastern boundary that follows that of the city along the Chenango River. The western boundary of the study area follows Broad Street, the primary commercial corridor in Norwich. While Broad Street is zoned largely for residential and commercial purposes, multiple uses are closely integrated within a relatively small area including community services, recreation, and entertainment. Because of the size and constrained nature of the City of Norwich, the proposed study sites, most within walking distance of Broad or East Main Street, have the potential to significantly affect activities along these main corridors. Land uses will play a large role in determining how one approaches planning for the future of these properties. The more rural, riparian character of the northern and southern sites, for instance, involves determining how best to balance further economic development and expansion of business with the improvement of the land for recreational opportunities and natural preservation.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

The boundary is large enough to contain all proposed study sites as well as those properties that are potentially affected by this planning process and future redevelopment activities. Within the boundary there are several sites where commercial, industrial, or residential activity is currently taking place. Contamination associated with these properties is not automatically assumed. This study represents the first effort to inventory and characterize the industrial and commercial history of specific properties in Norwich, and the subsequent effects not previously considered and/or documented. This study focuses on data collection and establishing a citizen participation process where the community has a chance to articulate a vision for the revitalization of Norwich.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

SECTION 2 WORKING WITH THE NORWICH COMMUNITY

2.1 Public Participation Plan

Community participation in the City of Norwich Brownfield Area Nomination Study Step #2 will be accomplished through a variety of forums and outreach mechanisms to engage interested persons in the development and preparation of the City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Nomination Study and Revitalization Plan. The specific elements to be employed include steering committee meetings, property owner outreach, informational meetings, consultation with officials from the City of Norwich and representatives from the New York State Department of State (NYSDOS), and Public Hearings.

The Steering Committee is the primary group guiding the preparation of the Revitalization Plan and will advise the City and the project consultant on the elements and content of the plan and related documents. To ensure broad understanding of the purpose and direction of the Revitalization Plan and to solicit diverse input from affected stakeholders, other interest groups were included by the City of Norwich, the Steering Committee, NYSDOS, and other contributors The initial input from participating residents was obtained, regarding the elements and content of the Revitalization Plan and related documents, as necessary and appropriate. This input was gained through community visioning workshops facilitated by the Steering Committee and the project consultant, with periodic reports updating the plan’s development. All input was shared with the Steering Committee members.

Public hearings will be scheduled as appropriate to facilitate formal endorsement of the Nomination Study and Revitalization Plan at the local level. Public hearings provide the Steering Committee, property owners, and broad public an opportunity to address the City regarding the progress and content of the Nomination Study and Revitalization Plan and relate documents. They will also provide the City with an opportunity to discuss the Nomination Study and Revitalization Plan and provide any additional direction, as appropriate.

Regular ongoing formal and informal communication between the City of Norwich, NYSDOS and the project consultant is ongoing to ensure the smooth flow of all planning tasks related to the Nomination Study and Revitalization Plan and related documents.

2.2 Project Partners

Completion of this report required assistance, guidance, support, and collaboration from several local, regional and state organizations, authorities and firms. The following is a comprehensive list of the entities which have collaborated to develop the City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) project and this report: . City of Norwich . City of Norwich BOA Revitalization Plan Steering Committee . Chenango County Department of Planning and Development . New York State Department of State – Office of Planning and Development: division of Development . New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. New York State Department Health (DOH) . New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) . New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) . New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPS) . New York State of Office of General Services (OGS) . The project consultant team: The LA Group, Shelter Planning and Development, and EM Pemrick and Co.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

SECTION 3 ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED BROWNFIELDS OPPORTUNITY AREA

3.1 Community and Regional Setting

The City of Norwich is located in central New York in Chenango County between the Canasawacta Creek and the Chenango River. Covering an area of 2.12 square miles, the city is surrounded on all sides by the Town of Norwich. The City of Norwich is located in the center of the triangle that encompasses Syracuse, Albany, and Binghamton. The City of Oneonta and access to Interstate 88 are approximately 35 miles away to the east, while the Binghamton metropolitan area and access to Interstate 81 are 40 miles away to the south and west. Figure 1, “Community Context Map”, shows the location and relationship of the city to the surrounding towns, county and region. Figure 2, “Study Area Context Map”, shows the location of the proposed BOA in relation to the community and entire municipality.

The region was originally claimed and dominated by the Iroquois Confederacy, consisting of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayuga and Seneca Indians. Early settlers arrived from New England and incorporated Norwich as a village in 1816 and eventually as a city in 1914. The Canasawacta Creek and the Chenango River dictated the city’s historical boundaries and growth limitations. In the mid-19th century, Norwich developed a strong industrial/manufacturing economy. The Chenango Canal was constructed to connect the Erie Canal to the Susquehanna River with the intent to spur commerce and bring prosperity to the Norwich region. Other industries followed that specialized in furniture, textiles, and musical instruments. Pharmaceuticals became one of the most important commodities in Norwich with the incorporation of the Norwich Pharmacal Company in 1889 and culminated with Proctor and Gambles purchase of Norwich-Eaton Pharmaceuticals in 1982.3

While manufacturing has suffered serious setbacks over the last 25 years, several manufacturers in the Norwich area have expanded. These include Golden Artist Colors, Inc. who acquired and renovated a 45,000‐square foot industrial building on Hale Street as part of a $2.5 million expansion. In April 2015, Norwich Pharmaceuticals, a contract pharmaceutical manufacturing business, broke ground on a $26 million expansion of its facility in the Town of North Norwich. Norwich is the headquarters of NBT Bank, which operates in upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, and parts of New England. The company has 160 bank branches, with 11 in Chenango County alone. NBT has nearly 650 employees in Norwich and supports many community‐based initiatives.

The City of Norwich is the largest municipality in Chenango County and serves as the seat of county government. It has historically served as the commercial, industrial, governmental, and cultural center of the region. Norwich is currently the only municipality in the surrounding area that has the sewer and water capacity to accommodate additional economic activity of any significance.4 Cultural amenities include the Northeast Classic Car Museum, Chenango County Historical Museum, and the Bullthistle Model Railroad Museum. The State University of New York (SUNY) at Morrisville maintains a Norwich campus that offers associate degree programs

3 City of Norwich Comprehensive Plan 4 City of Norwich Application to NYS DOS for the BOA program 22

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

in technical fields. The campus maintains state-of-the-art classrooms and represents an excellent opportunity for residents to continue their education.

The 2010 population of the City of Norwich was 7,190, a decline of 5.6%, or 258 people, since 1990. More recent population estimates developed by the U.S. Census Bureau and compiled by the Cornell Population Center indicate a decline of 112 people (-1.6%) between 2010 and 2012. In 2010, there were 3,097 households residing in the City of Norwich, a 1.1% decline since the previous decennial census. Based on 2015 estimates from ESRI, nearly one‐third of all residents in the City of Norwich are under age 25. 13.3% of residents are 25 to 34 and 36.0% are between the ages of 35 and 64. Approximately 18% of residents are age 65 and over. Projections to 2020 indicate that the fastest population growth in the City of Norwich will be among individuals age 65 to 74 (+10.7%) and age 75 and over (+4.5%), followed by those between the ages of 35 and 44 (+3.9%). Household income data indicates Norwich has an estimated 2015 median household income of $37,226.

3.2 Inventory and Analysis

3.2.1 Land Use and Zoning

The following section provides an overview of the existing conditions and potential opportunities for the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA). This includes a broad description and analysis of the overall BOA study area.

Existing Land Use

The study area follows simple boundaries that encompass the eastern half of the city. Nearly all industrial and a large number of commercial land uses are located with this area. Among the industrial and commercial uses are a significant number of residential properties as well. The brownfields sites selected for the study fall within this boundary and are located in close proximity to the rail beds that run north-south through the eastern portion of the City. A broadly defined study area permits the inclusion of the majority of properties that the community is interested in revitalizing. Figure 4, “Existing Land Use Map”, illustrates the general distribution of land uses throughout the city.

Residential Residential use is primarily confined to detached single family residences. Multi-family dwelling units include townhouses, converted older single-family structures and multi-story homes.

Commercial Commercial, recreation/entertainment, industrial, and public service activities are predominantly located in the eastern half of the city and therefore within the study area boundary. For vacant land, commercial, and public service uses, the selected properties themselves represent a significant percentage of total acreage. Medium to large-scale commercial and franchise uses tend to cluster in the downtown taking up valuable small business space. Most of the larger stores edge the BOA in typical suburban fashion. Changes in activity level or land use of

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

identified properties have the potential to impact surrounding land uses, which for some categories, primarily occupy the eastern half of the city.

Large, underutilized areas of privately held land exist throughout the study area, and could accommodate further commercial and industrial growth. Economic development efforts to bring new uses and businesses could be focused on a number of identified sites where significant acreages of land in the heart of the city remain under-developed, such as Borden Avenue, State Street, and Mitchell Street. In addition, certain properties with well-established commercial or industrial uses could be supported through marketing assistance and the presence of increased economic activity in other areas of the city.

Commercial strip development immediately outside the city has dramatically impacted the municipal tax base and resulted in vacancies in downtown storefronts.

Industrial The city’s economic base has long been tied to the industrial and manufacturing sectors that still have a significant presence in the greater Norwich area. Significant progress has been made in remediating contaminated sites and preparing them for redevelopment. All of the industrial zones as well as the parcels identified as industrial are within the BOA boundary.

Agricultural There are no farms located within the city. The city’s only agriculture related producing business is Pire’s Flower Basket at the northern end. The City supports local agriculture through the Farmers Market, the oldest farmers market in New York State.

TABLE 1 - LAND USES BY ACREAGE AND NUMBER Land Use Categories BOA Land Area Number of Parcels Agricultural -0- -0- Residential 237 973 Vacant Land 82 142 Commercial 124 156 Recreation/Entertainment 80 21 Community Services 317 32 Industrial 29 12 Public Services 65 10 Total 934 1,346 Source: 2017 GIS

Zoning

The Common Council of the City of Norwich adopted a Zoning Code in 1981and significantly amended it in 1997. The Code establishes specific uses and design standards permitted in distinct areas of the city. As described below, there are four residential districts (R-1, R-1a, R-2, and R-3; one general business district (B-1), one highway business district (B-2), a railroad district (RR). Figure 5, “Zoning Map,” indicates the boundaries for the various zoning districts throughout the City.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. R-1 – The Residential District is designed to provide a suitable open character for single family residences at relatively low densities. . R-1A – The Residential District permits densities at a lower level. Most lands are developed and improvements to these lots can occur without necessitating cumbersome variance procedures. . R-2 – The Residential District is designed for higher densities and allows for a variety of housing types in order to provide a broad range of choices. . R-3 – The Residential District treats office buildings, restaurants, and retail businesses as special uses that can be permitted if they are found not to be obtrusive to the neighborhood. . B-1 - The General Business District is the largest regional commercial center within 30 miles and provides for a variety of retail, governmental services, community services, and office needs. . B-2 – The Highway Business District is intended to provide a location for uses not appropriate to the core business district. . RR – The Railroad District is intended to provide a linear corridor through the city suitable for rail transportation and recreational trail development. . IN – The Industrial District is intended to provide sufficient space in appropriate locations to meet the needs of the City’s present and future industrial base.

Two overlay districts that provide additional guidance for specific types of development are as follows: . Museum District Overlay – Designed to encourage new construction and renovation that is consistent with that area’s historical heritage. This overlay encompasses a cluster of identified sites along Lee Avenue and State Street. . Historic District Overlay – Exists on two distinctive districts - the Chenango County Courthouse Historic District and the North Broad Street Historic District. These districts help to recognize and preserve the highly valued historic and cultural places.

Zoning is guided by the City of Norwich Comprehensive Plan (latest 2014) technical memorandum that offers recommendations on how to improve and update the City Zoning Ordinance. Some of the more pertinent suggestions are: . The use of tables and drawings to illustrate important issues such as setback requirements or landscaping standards. . Specifically address historic districts in ordinance. . Consider the use of new overlay districts. . Revisit current development patterns and update lot size and setback requirements. . Enhance development standards to clarify issues such as lot coverage and open space requirements. Streamline the process for all parties. . Reexamine requirements for off-street parking.

The following table reports the number and acreage for each of the zoning districts for the year 2017. The majority of acreage (72%) is in residential districts, 10% is in the business district, less than 1% is in a PUD, 12% is in industrial, and 5% is in railroad. Of the parcels within the study area, 83% are in residential districts, 12% are in business districts, 1% are in a PUD, 4% are in industrial districts, and less than 1% are part of the railroad district.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

TABLE 2 - BOA STUDY AREA PARCELS Zoning Categories Acres Number Residential-1 382 136 Residential-1A 45 207 Residential-2 214 728 Residential-3 12 44 Business-1 49 132 Business-2 41 25 PUD 7 19 Industrial 109 51 Railroad 47 6 Total 906 1,348 Source: 2017 GIS

Special Permits While certain uses are permitted “by right” in each zoning district, other activities require greater scrutiny because of their potential to be injurious or detrimental to the public. Typically, proposed projects are presented to the Zoning Officer and an application for a building permit is filed. The permit is granted after insuring that all conditions in the zoning ordinance have been met. Projects requiring special permits, however, are brought to the City Board of Appeals which is given the authority to approve or deny the permit following a public hearing process and an evaluation of the impact of the activity on the city. Property owners seeking to expand or alter their property in any way should consider what level of detail and preparation will be required.

PUD The Planned Use Development district is permitted in certain areas of the city where it is recognized that the requirements established through the primary zoning districts may be either too rigid or too lenient in terms of density standards, allowed use, or setback requirements. PUD allows greater flexibility and mixture of uses for detailed and fully-planned developments. Though no selected sites currently hold PUD status, property owners with a specific project in mind may apply to the Planning Commission for this designation. This presents a potential benefit /incentive for redevelopment of sites with the study area.

3.2.2 Land Ownership Patterns

Municipally-Owned The study area contains most of the publically-owned sites in the city. The largest parcels include Norwich High School, the Department of Public Works (DPW), the NYS&W rail line (title is held by the County IDA, but maintained by NYS&W), and large undeveloped areas of land at the northern and southern ends of the city. Table 3 summarizes the land area totals dedicated to public and private lands. Figure 6, “Land Ownership Map”, compares the general distribution of public and private properties throughout the City. The City and County control sites are important to establish a long term vision for this program and for the potential benefit the entire region through creative planning and redevelopment.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Private Land Ownership Approximately 40% of all public lands and 47% of all private-public lands are within the BOA boundary.

TABLE 3 - LAND AREA FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PROPERTY Non-BOA Area BOA Study Area Totals Public Lands 254 168 422 Private-Public Lands 904 423 1,327 Total 1,158 591 1,749

3.2.3 Economic Development Areas

Located in and around Norwich are several commercial/industrial centers that are designed to serve as a catalyst for business and employment growth in the region. They include:

Earl B. Clark Business Park The County IDA-owned business park is located in the Town of North Norwich that serves as a business incubator for the region. There is presently 1 commercial tenant with the potential for additional businesses following the removal of debris from several previously demolished buildings.

The Eaton Center This office complex, located off of South Broad Street in Norwich, offers 200,000 square feet of state-of-the-art commercial space to a wide range of businesses. The Eaton Center’s tenants include, but are not limited to, a variety of physicians, businesses offering investment services, the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, and several administrative offices such as the Norwich City School District and Chenango Memorial Hospital. The café and gym located on premises serve employees from businesses within the center as well as surrounding residents.

Warren E. Eaton Airport Industrial Park This site in North Norwich also functions as the County IDA incubator park. Though it hosts several different businesses, it’s potential for significant development remains limited due to its proximity to the airport as well as environmental limitations.

3.2.4 Brownfields, Underutilized and Vacant Sites

One of the main impediments to redevelopment in the City of Norwich is the number of abandoned, vacant or underutilized sites, many of which qualify as brownfields. According to the EPA, a brownfield is a property for which the expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Sites Location Map”, identifies the location and size of each brownfield and other underutilized, abandoned or vacant sites.

New Development and Uses Vacant sites that are returned to productive use represent a reinvestment in the community and an effort to improve dense neighborhoods in which many of these sites are located. In cases where a site is still in active use, this program will provide a roadmap for property owners to expand and improve these uses in a way that reflects the needs, desires and creativity of the Norwich community. The BOA seeks to build on the initiatives recently undertaken to improve sewer and water infrastructure servicing the Borden Avenue Industrial Complex, the largest area of underutilized land in the city. Furthermore, any land that is placed back on the tax roll, or is perhaps providing municipal taxes for the first time, will provide Norwich with additional resources that can then be reinvested into the community and leveraged to further develop the city economically.

There are a number of vacant and/or underutilized properties that could accommodate new uses that address a variety of community needs including: . More senior housing opportunities . More attainable housing units . Expansion of the local tax base . Increased recreational amenities . Exploration of niche markets

Businesses and Housing The “City of Norwich Zoning Map” shows that commercial, residential, and industrial uses are integrated within a relatively small geographic area. Residential areas are often immediately adjacent to properties zoned and used for industrial purposes. The redevelopment or expansion of identified properties presents the potential for a significant interplay between new businesses and industries, and those residents living in close proximity. A majority of the study area falls in a state-designated Environmental Zone, signifying a high level of economic distress for residents near included sites. The creation of either low to moderate income housing or business providing employment opportunities for the same population segment might be one goal for the program.

During the first public meeting, a large emphasis was placed on increasing the amount of senior housing in the city to reflect changing demographics. A number of sites identified through this study would be suitable locations for housing of this type, including the Mitchell Street Site, State Street Site, and the East Main Street School Site.

The ability to draw new businesses to the City and expand those that exist may help to address the underrepresented retail sector in Norwich and Chenango County. A desire was also expressed by the community to see an overall improvement of the economic base in Norwich by developing niche markets and forming a tech-based sector within the City.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Zone, and various economic development agencies operating within the County, in their attempts to provide a competitive business environment, as well as an increased number of job opportunities for city residents. Currently underutilized land within the City, particularly along Borden Avenue, has the potential to accommodate a large number of new commercial and industrial firms. Businesses drawn to locate in the City will improve the local tax base, as well as provide the added benefit of removing blighted structures and restoring properties to productive use.

New Public Amenities With proper site design and input from the community, significant areas of land within the study area could be redeveloped with portions of land set aside for parks, trails, fishing access, and other forms of passive recreation. There are large portions of the northern and southern parts of the City that are relatively undeveloped, particularly those areas adjacent to the NYS&W rail line within the study area. Any redevelopment should take into account the need to expand recreational opportunities. The public commitment to such amenities can be observed in the Hosbach Trail, which extends through the far southern extremity of the study area and onto city- owned land immediately south in the Town of Norwich. The “Hosbach Site” identified through this study is considered the primary area dedicated to expanding recreational opportunities and public access to the waterfront.

Improving Environmental Quality The City has seen recent improvements to the quality of the Chenango River due to upgrades to the Sewage Treatment Facility and related improvements. Actions taken to redevelop sites, especially those in the northern and southern reaches of the study area adjacent to the river, need to take into account as to the effect of these activities on water quality and public access. The study area is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the considerable natural amenities and opportunities for public access on municipal land along the River.

The remediation and redevelopment of potentially contaminated sites often involves the removal and disposal of contaminants. This process leads to an improvement in local environmental quality, as well as an increase in quality of life, health, and safety of those residents living in close proximity to these sites. Most of the study area has been designated an NYS Environmental Zone, possessing a poverty rate of at least 20% and an unemployment rate of over 125% of the New York State average. The strategy outlined through this planning process and subsequent redevelopment can also help to address environmental injustices, such as having a disproportionate concentration of abandoned, vacant, or blighted properties in areas of higher poverty and economic distress.

It is recognized that while many of the identified properties in Norwich will not have contamination problems, their inclusion in the study is still important for the purposes of developing an overall plan for revitalization.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

3.2.5 Strategic Sites with Potential for Redevelopment

One of the main impediments to redevelopment in the City of Norwich is the number of abandoned, vacant or underutilized sites, many of which qualify as brownfields. A brownfield is a property for which the expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.

The identification and analysis of vacant, underutilized, abandoned or environmentally problematic sites in the study area, and the formation of a strategy for their revitalization or redevelopment will have multiple benefits for the City of Norwich. Figure 7, “Underutilized Sites Location Map,” identifies the location and size of each brownfield and other underutilized, abandoned or vacant sites.

New Development and Uses Vacant sites that are returned to productive use represent a reinvestment in the community and an effort to improve dense neighborhoods in which many of these sites are located. In cases where a site is still in active use, this program will provide a roadmap for property owners to expand and improve these uses in a way that reflects the needs, desires and creativity of the Norwich community. The BOA seeks to build on the initiatives recently undertaken to improve sewer and water infrastructure servicing the “Northern Industrial Complex”, the largest area of underutilized land in the city. Furthermore, any land that is placed back on the tax roll, or is perhaps providing municipal taxes for the first time, will provide Norwich with additional resources that can then be reinvested into the community and leveraged to further develop the city economically.

Businesses and Housing The “City of Norwich Zoning Map” shows a land use pattern of commercial, residential, and industrial uses integrated within a relatively small geographic area. Residential areas, for example, are often immediately adjacent to properties zoned and used for industrial purposes. The redevelopment or expansion of identified properties, therefore, presents the potential for a significant interplay between new businesses and industries, and those residents living in close proximity. A majority of the study area falls in a state-designated Environmental Zone, and signifies a high level of economic distress for residents near included sites. The creation of either low to moderate income housing, or business providing employment opportunities for the same population segment might be one goal for the program.

During the first public meeting, a large emphasis was placed on increasing the amount of senior housing in the community to reflect changing demographics in the City. A number of sites

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

identified through this study would be suitable locations for housing of this type, including the Mitchell Street Site, State Street Site, and the East Main Street School Site.

New Employment Opportunities and Additional Revenues With the shrinking of the manufacturing sector and the subsequent loss of jobs in Norwich, the ORNP anticipates creating a strategy that will reinforce the aims of the Greater Norwich Empire Zone, and various economic development agencies operating within the County, in their attempts to provide a competitive business environment, as well as an increased number of job opportunities for city residents. Currently underutilized land within the City, particularly along Borden Avenue, has the potential to accommodate a large number of new commercial and industrial firms. Businesses drawn to locate in the City will improve the local tax base, as well as provide the added benefit of removing blighted structures and restoring properties to productive use.

The remediation and redevelopment of potentially contaminated sites often involves the removal and disposal of contaminants. This process leads to an improvement in local environmental quality, as well as an increase in quality of life, health, and safety of those residents living in close proximity to these sites. Most of the study area has been designated an NYS Environmental Zone, possessing a poverty rate of at least 20% and an unemployment rate of over 125% of the New York State average. The strategy outlined through this planning process and subsequent redevelopment can also help to address environmental injustices, such as having a

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

disproportionate concentration of abandoned, vacant, or blighted properties in areas of higher poverty and economic distress.

Priority Sites

Based on a review of environmental data bases, plans and reports, and property assessment data, a total of 127 acres of properties have been identified by the community as being valuable to examine for their potential for revitalization and redevelopment. These parcels vary significantly in size, ranging from 0.13 to 32.92 acres, with an average of 3.62. The large variation in size is due largely to the nature and history of land use patterns and human activity. Many smaller parcels were once a portion of a larger industrial site. Some were used as rail lines and now are irregularly shaped, while others remain quite large and have not been greatly subdivided, such as those on the northern and southern peripheries of the study area.

The City of Norwich is largely a “built out” community with little undeveloped space remaining within the city’s boundaries. Inevitably, this condition will affect future development opportunities for both residential and commercial uses. As with many other tightly confined communities, much of Norwich’s future growth will be found in redevelopment and adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilized sites that once contained some other use. A good example of infill redevelopment is the Norwich Housing Authority’s Brown Avenue housing project which is bringing back to life a vacant site with new accessible housing for elderly homebuyers. Below are other sites that have good development potential for residential use.

Borden Avenue Industrial Area The Borden Avenue Industrial Area contains about 50 acres of underutilized land and structures. Only three businesses are in operation at the site. Two, Sun Printing Inc. and Precision Built Tops, are prominent with appropriate signage and parking. The third is poorly maintained and unwelcoming to visitors, reducing the area’s desirability and the growth potential of neighboring businesses. There are active warehouses as well with two rented spaces, three empty warehouses, ten empty offices, and a lot for vehicle storage. Adjacent to the warehouses is the vacant industrial lot at 57-67 Borden Avenue. 57-67 Borden Avenue is one of the largest undeveloped sites in the city, and should be aggressively marketed in cooperation with the owner. The 57-59 Borden Avenue and 79 Borden Avenue properties are currently owned and listed for sale by Commerce Chenango. Across the street is 82-88 Borden Avenue, a 0.82 acre empty lot ready for development. Packaging these three properties as part of a redevelopment proposal would make a strategic plan for the Borden Avenue Industrial Area more feasible.

Any redevelopment plans should transition the Borden Avenue Industrial Area away from the traditional large-scale industrial development model. Despite the previous uses and the current condition of several properties, there are no known contaminants in the area according to NYSDEC. An active rail line will be back in operation through the area, but there is not an appropriate staging area for car maintenance and the loading and unloading of rail cars and

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139 trailers. Development of the area may require an initial loading dock feasibility study. The area’s location and size, the small number of existing uses, the simple construction of existing structures, the large number of vacant properties, and the lack of known contaminants make it ideal for new development.

Mirabito Fuels Site (65 Mitchell Street) Located on Mitchell Street in a long-established residential area of the city, the 2.92 acre Mirabito Fuels Site consists of four adjacent parcels. Three are vacant and one is currently used largely for administrative offices by Mirabito Fuel. The site was previously used for heating oil and coal storage and sales. NYSDC records indicate that the owner has invested a significant amount in the remediation of an oil tank leak in an effort to make all three properties ready for sale. A past oil tank leak has been remediated by the property owner, though the cleanup has not been certified by an environmental engineer. Environmental remediation of the site has occurred and a “No Further Action Necessary” was issued to the owner by the NYSDEC. Mirabito no longer operates a retail fuel location at this site. However, trucks from a milk hauling operation are parked on site.

The site is located in an R-2 zoning district. The cluster of properties is in close proximity to the services offered downtown, but also possesses a good deal of open space that might be used in conjunction with the growing trail system to the south. Although the zoning designation is preferable to residential use, the future development of this site is likely to depend on the level of environmental clearance the site can obtain. A change in use of this residentially zoned property would likely require a full Phase II environmental assessment. The leak likely affected adjacent sites, including a City-owned property to the east and the former Penny Saver printing plant. Penny Saver attempted to donate its property to Opportunities for Chenango for conversion to housing. Unsuitability of the existing structure for housing conversion and potential contamination issues stopped the transaction. The owner has expressed interest in selling the property.

Directly east of the site is a vacant strip of land where a former spur of the NYS&W rail line crossed Mitchell Street. The land could be packaged with the Mirabito Fuels Site to expand the size of the site to increase the feasibility of a potential development strategy. The City could also propose to use the site as a future extension to a city-wide trail system. This amenity could be leveraged to incentivize action at the Mirabito Fuels Site while increasing the desirability of the neighborhood.

The Unguentine Building (20 American Avenue) This four-story warehouse building is located in downtown a short distance from South Broad Street. The building’s 50,000sf floor area and adjacency to an existing parking lot has made it the subject of much interest for residential adaptive reuse. The building is commonly discussed as a possible location for student housing, senior housing, or market-rate housing. The building’s location in the B-1 General Business District would prohibit residential use of the first floor unless a variance was granted. Its location immediately adjacent to South Broad Street would make this parcel an excellent mixed-use center, with residential above and retail and/or office on the ground level. There are no known contaminants, and the current owner is interested in selling or leasing the building.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

The former Morrisville College Building (14-16 South Broad Street) Originally built in the 1990s as a campus for Morrisville College, the building has remained largely vacant since the college moved to Follett Hall in 2005. With three stories and approximately 30,000 square feet of floor area, the building is often a considered for commercial use of the first floor and possible residential use of the second and third floors. The building’s lack of a current use, size, architecture, and location within the central business district are ideal for adaptive reuse.

In 2017, the Morrisville College Building was purchased to be adapted into a small hotel. Recently, the Chenango Removal Corporation received $500,000 in ESD grants to transform the vacant building into a new 60-room hotel. The new hotel will contribute to the revitalization of downtown Norwich and will create long-term, permanent employment

Former Ward Schools 1 and 5 (112 South Broad Street and 125-127East Main Street) Former Ward Schools 1 and 5 located on South Broad Street and East Main Street are both currently vacant and are believed to be suitable for conversion to multi-unit residential use. Both properties are privately owned, are in good condition, and have no known contaminants.

Ward School 1 on South Broad Street was recently the subject of rehabilitation. The location of the former Ward School should be a major selling point to potential buyers or leasers. The property sits at the corner of South Broad Street and Beebe Avenue. Right before and after school hours, Beebe Avenue becomes the major connection for students and their parents either walking or driving to the Perry Browne Intermediate School at the opposite end of the street. Broad Street is the major thoroughfare in Norwich and therefore sees a consistent flow of automobile and pedestrian traffic.

Ward School 5 has been identified by the current owners as a desirable location for senior housing. It could also be used as attainable housing for other demographics. An environmental assessment is necessary to determine the extent and cost of the potential rehabilitation of the former Ward School. With the property located in a B-1 General Business District, area and use variances may be needed as part of a potential reuse strategy. The property is currently for sale.

Other Sites

The City of Norwich has a considerable industrial history, which has resulted in some brownfield sites scattered throughout the community. The city, county, state and affected property owners have a good understanding of most of the sites, and many have been cleaned up or are in the process of remediation. In 2009, the City conducted Phase 1 of a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) study to examine potential reuse of abandoned or otherwise underutilized brownfield sites in the city. Key brownfield sites identified in the city include:

The New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG) facility on Front Street, adjacent to the Tops Plaza This was the site of a manufactured gas plant in the 19th century and was contaminated by coal tar, a byproduct of the energy production process. Used as a light industrial site for years after

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139 the closure of the coal gas facility, the coal tar contamination was discovered after NYSEG acquired the property. NYSEG has completed the remediation of the site and is now proposing making the site available for long-term commercial lease. The site encompasses 1.33 acres.

Former Agway fertilizer plant This pie-shaped property adjacent to the railroad tracks along the new Prentice Street extension was the location of an Agway fertilizer plant for years. It is now owned by the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad. This former Agway plant (approximately 4 acres) is now part of the Railroad parcel (26.02 acres) and zoned as part of the Railroad District (RR). Given the site’s current zoning and its adjacency to the Hosbach Trail extending to 64 Hale Street, the most promising redevelopment strategy for the site is to be included in the Hosbach Trail development plan. Area and use variances may be necessary for the site to be redeveloped into a different use.

The site has not been tested for contamination. Although there are no known environmental issues associated with the site, its former use implies that contamination could be possible. Redevelopment of the site would require investigation and completion of any indicated remediation.

The Label Gallery Site (1-15 Lee Avenue and 21 Rexford Street) Located on Lee Avenue near the railroad tracks, the 2.11 acre Label Gallery Site consists of 1-11 Lee Avenue, 13-15 Lee Avenue, and 21 Rexford Street. A two-story 28,544sf red brick industrial building on 1-11 Lee Avenue is currently in use by MPI Label Systems, a manufacturer of bottle labels and other general label products. Part of 21 Rexford Street serves as an additional driveway for trucks and crew. When the property was owned by the Hercules firm, a maker of aerospace connectors and capacitors, soil contamination occurred which lead to a migrating plume of chemical contamination within the soil. A number of residential properties in the area have received basement infiltration mitigation and vapor exhaust mitigation measures. Hercules completed the site remediation for the MPI Label Systems property and is currently completing an assessment of the rest of the site. Additional soil vapor intrusion testing will be necessary before the rest of the site can be developed.

Howard Johnson Hotel Rehabilitation Located at 75 N Broad Street, the Howard Johnson Hotel is one of only two major hotels within the City. The location of the site along the main thoroughfare in Norwich is ideal for a hotel. However, the size, quality and appearance of the hotel are often discussed by residents and visitors as a detriment to the improvement of the downtown and the greater economic development of the City. In response, JEGG Realty Norwich LLC has plans to remodel and rebrand the Howard Johnson facility in downtown Norwich as a Best Western. The hotel will be updated through an Empire State Development Market NY 2015 grant of $239,840.

Gold Street Site (14-16 State Street and 49-51 Silver Street) The 0.92 acre site consists of four separate adjacent parcels all owned by Lindenthaler Properties, LLC. 14 State Street is currently a grass covered lot with no parking. There is a fence and large vegetation between the lot and the homes at 10 and 12 State Street, implying that the lot is considered an eye-sore for the residents. 16 State Street is a loose-gravel lot where a few cars park informally. 51 Silver Street is a vacant commercial property and 49 Silver Street is

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139 listed as Hart’s Electrical Supplies, but the building appears unused. Gold Street is unusable since there is a fence at the east-end of the lot on 51 Silver Street. Prospects for the development of the site are limited by the fence and the uncertain future of 49 and 51 Silver Street. Low to moderate income housing, or business opportunities for the nearby population are potential uses for the site. The entire site falls within the R-2 Residential District.

NYSDEC records show that the nearby Museum site underwent extensive environmental remediation efforts. Although there are no known contaminants on the site, the existence of potential contaminants may be a limiting factor for development.

Hale & Birdsall Streets (Prentice Street Site) The 1.88 acre site is an industrially-zoned undeveloped green space located within the B-2 Highway Business District around Prentice Street. According to the Chenango County Tax Assessor’s Office, Parkview at Ticonderoga LLC is the owner of the property. The limited liability corporation is also the owner of the Curtis Lumber Co. Inc. property as well as the adjacent residential properties at 50 and 52 Hale Street. The site’s size, good condition, proximity to the NYS&W rail line and the Chenango Greenway, and access to New York State Route 12 make it ideal for new development. There are no known contaminants at the site.

22 Prentice Street The loose gravel lot is ideal for commercial or light industrial development, but is currently being used as a parking lot for unused cars. In its current state, the site is a significant eye-sore in a prominent commercial district of the City. The industrially-zoned vacant residential property has significant value due to its proximity to New York State Route 12, the NYS&W rail line, the Hosbach Trail, a large parking lot, and established businesses. Given the site’s locational value and lack of known contaminants, 22 Prentice Street should be a priority for future development.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

TABLE 4 - POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT SITES

Appropriate/Potential Use & Importance

e l i

es nt

d i e

t e i y a nce t

Amenit Property Class

Code (2016) Housing ncreas

Street Address Group Name Quali t Current Use (2016) I Impor Environm Public usiness/ Grant Opportun Employment B 82‐88 Borden Ave Borden Avenue Medium 340 Vacant land x Site 57‐59 Borden Ave Borden Avenue High 449 Industrial; Underutilized x Site 89 Borden Ave Borden Avenue Medium 714 Industrial; Underutilized x Site 79‐81 Rexford St County DPW Medium 651 County Highway Department x x Site 1‐11 Lee Ave Lee Avenue Site x x x High 714 Industrial; Underutilized 13‐15 Lee Ave Lee Avenue Site x x x High 340 Vacant land 21 Rexford St Lee Avenue Site x x x High 340 Vacant land 24 Birdsall St NYSEG Site x x High 870 Utility Substation 45 Front St (Rear) NYSEG Site x x High 710 Industrial 61 Mitchell St Mitchell Street High 330 Vacant land x x Site 65 Mitchell St Mitchell Street High 441 Mirabito Fuels Group x x Site 67 Mitchell St Mitchell Street High 330 Vacant land x x Site 69 Mitchell St Mitchell Street High 330 Vacant land x x Site ‐ Sheldon Street High 710 Industrial; Underutilized 19 25 Sheldon St x Site 37

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

11‐15 State St State Street Site x x x x High 411 Apartments 19 Mitchell St State Street Site x x x x High 411 Apartments 14 State St State Street Site x x x x Medium 340 Vacant land 18 State St State Street Site x x x x Medium 438 Parking lot 20 State St State Street Site x x x x Medium 340 Vacant land 16 State St State Street Site x x x x Medium 330 Vacant land ‐ 125 127 E Main St Ward School No. x x High 614 Vacant school building 5 69 E Main St Bruce Beadle High 486 Byrne Dairy x x Realty Site 106‐108 E Main St Midland Drive Medium 340 Vacant land x x Site 20 American Ave Unguentine Site x x Medium 449 Storage/Underutilized Hale and Birdsall Hosbach Site x Medium 340 Vacant land Sts 38‐48 Hale St Hosbach Site x Medium 444 Curtis Lumber & a law office 50 Hale St Hosbach Site x Medium 311 Vacant land 52 Hale St Hosbach Site x Medium 483 ?? 58‐62 Hale St Hosbach Site x Medium 682 ?? 64 Hale St Hosbach Site x High 340 Vacant land 64‐68 Hale St Hosbach Site x High 853 Municipal sewer plant 22 Prentice St Hosbach Site x x Low 311 Vacant land 65 Hale St Hosbach Site x High 710 Golden Artist Colors Susquehanna & Hosbach Site x High NA Rail Western Rail

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

3.2.6 Parks and Open Space

The BOA study area has nearly 22 acres of municipal park land including the City’s main park – Weiler Park. These areas provide exercise, entertainment and relaxation for residents and visitors. Significant open space includes picnic areas and public parks near the intersection of Broad and Main Streets, playgrounds along Borden Avenue, and the playing fields and open space at the rear of the High School out to the Chenango River. Table 4 describes the inventory of resources throughout the City. Figure 8, “Parks and Open Space Map,” shows the distribution of parks, picnic areas, boat launches, playing fields and playgrounds throughout the City.

The City of Norwich Parks Commission meets regularly making recommendations for management and maintenance of city parks and facilities. A Parks Master Plan was last completed in 1992. The following parks improvements have been made since 2003: . A skateboard park was installed at the Borden Avenue Skating Facility; . New playground apparatus was installed at Weiler Park and South Broad Street Park; . City Youth Bureau programs were expanded to include dance instruction and pickle ball; . The tennis courts at Perry Browne Elementary School were renovated and are now striped for pickle ball; . The Chenango Greenway Conservancy incorporated and entered into trail licenses with the City of Norwich and Norwich City School District; . East and West Parks underwent extensive redesign and construction; . Kurt Beyer Pool underwent major repairs; and . The tennis courts at Weiler Park were resurfaced.

TABLE 5 – CITY-OWNED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES Name Location Facilities Acreage Pavilion, picnic facilities, playground, Weiler Park Borden Avenue ball fields, basketball court, 4 tennis 7.19 courts, and short walking trail. Borden Avenue Skating rink (roller blading/roller Borden Avenue 5.68 Skating Facility skating/ice skating) River Street and Pavilion, picnic facilities, playground, Kiwanis Park Route 23 (Rexford basketball court (1/2 court) 2.61 Street) Between Hale Street Picnic facilities, playground, basketball Bruchausen Park 1.26 and Division Street court (1/2 court), and sitting benches Swimming pool, hiking trail, playfields, Kurt Beyer Pool Western end of fishing/pedestrian bridge, handicapped & Rotary Cortland Street fishing access, playground, pavilion, 4.58 Park picnic facilities, basketball ½ court and

volleyball courts West Main Street and Gordon Park Sitting benches 0.13 South Broad Street Auburn Street and Auburn Park Picnic facilities and playground 0.25 King Street

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

TABLE 6 – OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES Name Location Facilities Owner On the Chenango Hard surface ramp with City of Norwich Boat Launch River at the Hale parking for 6 cars and School District; Street bridge trailers City maintains Southern boundary Pavilion, picnic facilities, Cemetery owns South Broad Street on South Broad playground, basketball court property; City Park Street (1/2 court) and playing maintains fields High School City of Norwich Veterans’ Park Playing fields Facilities School District Covered grandstand, Chenango County Chenango County racetrack, restrooms, Agricultural East Main Street Fairgrounds exhibition hall, stables, and Society picnic area. End of Beebe Playing fields and tennis City of Norwich Alumni Field Avenue courts School District City of Norwich Library Park West Main Street Playground School District Intersection of East Gazebo and Chenango County; East and West & West Main Street benches City maintains East Parks and North Broad St. Park Southern boundary Norwich Cemetery South Broad Street Pavilion, ball field, of the city on South Association; Park playground Broad Street City maintains City of Norwich Little league baseball fields Flanagan Field Plymouth Street School District; and picnic facilities City maintains. Eastern City Various property Chenango boundary owners. Maintained Greenway Walking trail, cross country along Chenango by Chenango Conservancy Trail skiing, etc. River & Greenway (Hosbach Trail) Canasawacta Creek Conservancy. Source: City of Norwich Office of Planning & Community Development. (Table 4 & 5)

The City continues to address issues and meet new opportunities. These include: . The restrooms at Weiler Park are often the targets of vandalism and misuse; . Consider ways to integrate recreational needs of Morrisville Norwich Campus students into the community; . Possible recreational trail use of the former NYS&W Railroad corridor; and . Construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting the Hosbach Trail to Jamba Flats.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

3.2.7 Historic or Archeologically Significant Areas

Much of Norwich was built during the first half of the past two hundred years giving the city a wealth of significant historic residential, commercial, religious, and civic buildings. Features, such as stone hitching posts, monuments, vestiges of the Chenango Canal, and park and cemetery landscapes exist throughout the city. Although many buildings of historic significance have been lost over the years to demolition, fire and redevelopment, many older and historic buildings retain their historic character and architectural integrity. The downtown retains the majority of its older and historic buildings. Some modern infill and gaps are present where buildings have been removed or parking lots created. In spite of the loss of numerous historic residential and commercial buildings, many other historic buildings have been rehabilitated. In recent years, several downtown property owners have revealed the original facades of their buildings, sometimes with the aid of grant assistance. McLaughlin’s Department Store is perhaps one of the best examples of facade restorations. Several downtown buildings have been rehabilitated and the historic integrity of their facades largely restored with grant assistance through the New York Main Street program. Figure 9, “Historic and Archeologically Significant Areas Map”, shows the resources of historic significance.

Chenango County recently completed the historically sensitive rehabilitation of the former sheriff’s office and county jail. Although the interiors of the buildings have been adapted to accommodate modern county office uses, the exteriors were restored to near original appearance. The County also recently completed a new application of gold leaf to the dome of the county courthouse. Other examples include The Eaton Center building, a historic school building near the library, the police station, offices in a former railroad depot, and the historic Norwich firehouse.

Locally-Designated and Protected Historic Resources In 2006, the City Historic Preservation Committee was established as a mayoral committee to advise City officials on matters of historic preservation within the city. In 2010, the City Historic Preservation Committee drafted a preservation ordinance, but it failed to receive a recommendation from the Planning Commission and was not forwarded to the Common Council for consideration. The City of Norwich does, however, identify the city’s two national and state historic districts as overlay districts in the Zoning Ordinance. Design guidelines are also in place for the Business Improvement District (BID) in the city’s downtown.

The City currently has two historic districts, the Chenango County Courthouse Historic District and the North Broad Street Historic District, both of which are listed in the National and State Registers of Historic Places. In addition, the Norwich Post Office, the North Broad Street Methodist Church, and the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Complex are each listed individually.

Chenango County Courthouse Historic District Generally bounded by East Main, and West Main Streets and Park Place and bisects North Broad and South Broad (see historic resources map). Listed in the National and State Registers of Historic Places in 1975, it includes approximately 45 commercial, public, and religious buildings and two parks in the central part of the City. Notable buildings include the Greek Revival

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Chenango County Courthouse (1837), the Masonic Temple (1878), the Congregational Church (1861), and City Hall (now the fire station) (1903-06).

North Broad Street Historic District This district occupies three blocks on North Broad between Newton Avenue and Mitchell Street (see historic resources map). Listed in the National and State Registers in 1978, it encompasses approximately 41 residences with outstanding examples of Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, and Stick styles.

U.S. Post Office in Norwich (20-22 East Main Street) The building is part of a thematic listing in the National and State Registers under “United States Post Offices in New York State, 1858 – 1943”. The Colonial Revival brick building was designed by George Ketcham and built 1932-33.

Methodist Episcopal Church of Norwich Now called the North Broad Street United Methodist Church, the building was built in 1875 and is listed on both the National and State Registers. The Architect for the Church was Isaac G. Perry. The interior of the church has hardly changed from the original design.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church Complex (37 West Main Street) The church complex was listed on the National and State Registers in 2009.

Eaton Family Residence Jewish Center of Norwich (72 South Broad Street) The Jewish center was listed on the National and State Registers in 2009.

Chenango County Historical Society Museum The Chenango County Historical Society Museum has a wide collection of information on Chenango County history. The museum is located in Norwich in an 1896 former school building, Ward School No. 2. Visitors can research Chenango County history, prominent individuals, businesses, topography and genealogical records. The source material includes primary resources such as historians, family folders, census information, scrapbooks, and reference books. In February 2013, the museum opened the James S. Flanagan Research Center, including expanded storage for Historian’s archives, and in 2014 the museum undertook reconstruction of the historic Loomis Barn at their Rexford Street location to create a display focusing on the agricultural history of Chenango County.

Norwich Pharmacal Museum The Norwich Pharmacal Museum is located at the Chenango County Historical Society Museum. The museum contains artifacts from the company’s beginning in 1885 through to 1994. The displays include advertisements, photographs of employees, products manufactured by the company, and manufacturing equipment used in the plant.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

3.2.8 Transportation Systems

Figure 10, “Transportation Systems Map”, illustrates the primary transportation networks and systems in Norwich.

Streets The City of Norwich is a compact community with about forty miles of roads including State Routes 12 and 23. Route 12 runs north-south through Norwich as Broad Street. Route 23 begins running east/west as Rexford Street, becomes Pleasant Street after crossing Broad Street and then turns north to become Plymouth Street. All streets and roads in the city are public roads and are improved with subsurface drainage. Street conditions are generally good, with regular repairs and resurfacing as resources allow.

Route 12 is the city’s most traveled roadway. In 2009 the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) reported that Route 12, between the southern city boundary and County Route 10A, had an Annual Average of Daily Traffic (AADT) count of 15,230 vehicles. The parallel routes of NYS Route 12 and NYS Route 8 are currently connected near the City of Norwich by NYS Route 23 and NYS Routes 320 and 29. The NYS Route 320/29 combination conveys the National Highway System designation from NYS Route 12 to the south and NYS Route 8 to the north. Improving the connection between the City of Norwich and the parallel NYS Route 8 corridor may improve travel times and take advantage of the existing expressway sections near New Hartford.

In 2008, NYSDOT completed the Phase II portion of a Route 12 corridor study between Binghamton and Utica with the goal of improving safety, commuter access and movement of goods along the highway. The project encompasses four counties (Broome, Chenango, Madison and Oneida) and two NYSDOT regions. The primary goal of City officials and the major employers and industries is to improve road safety and access to the city while ensuring a high- quality pedestrian environment in the downtown. The main future work to occur in the city is expected to be signal reconfiguration and minor intersection modifications at the intersection of NYS Route 12 and Mitchell/Cortland Streets and at the intersection of Route 12 and Rexford/Pleasant Streets.

Parking Downtown Norwich is served by five City-owned and operated parking lots, including the lots on Hayes and East Main Streets, the lots located behind Howard Johnson’s, and lots at the new City Court. The American Avenue parking lot is a joint public/private owned lot which is open to the public. In all, the City operates about 500 parking spaces in the business district. Four of the five lots have been resurfaced in recent years. Peak parking demand is 7:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM during weekdays. Both on and off-street parking is free. On-street parking in the central business district is generally limited to two-hours. Off-street parking is generally limited to three hours, with the exception of the American Avenue lot behind the police station which provides all-day parking. Although business owners and customers have expressed concerns about the proximity of the parking supply to building entrances, the parking supply is generally adequate. Another significant concern is the need for strategically located, all-day

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

parking to serve downtown employees to reduce competition with customers for prime parking spaces.

Transit and Intercity Bus Service Public bus transportation is provided by Chenango County First Transit, Inc., which operates fixed-route and dial-a-ride service for the entire county. All seven routes provide service to the city of Norwich, which is considered the hub of the system. The system operates Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Fixed-route fares are $1.00. Children under five years of age ride free when accompanied by an adult. Seniors and disabled persons are eligible for a 50% discount on fixed route service.

The long-term viability of the public bus transportation system provided by First Transit has become less certain recently because of changes in how the State of New York contracts Medicaid transport services. In previous years, much of First Transit’s revenue was derived from the Medicaid transport services, which are now handled largely by taxicab companies. Coach USA provides regularly scheduled service along NYS Route 12 with twice-daily stops in Norwich. Private taxi services and limousine services are also available in the city.

Rail Access Citing flood damage that occurred north and south of city during the summer of 2006, the New York, Susquehanna & Western (NYS&W) Railroad halted the Utica Branch of the rail line, which passes through the city and county. In 2008, NYS&W formally applied to the Surface Transportation Board for discontinuance of service. The City, County, and Commerce Chenango are actively engaged in trying to resume freight rail service along the line. After receiving substantial NYSDOT funds and other federal assistance, restoration along the tracks is in progress with completion scheduled for 2017. Upon completion, the project will permit restoration of NYS&W service between Binghamton and Utica and will provide freight access to the Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX lines.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Systems Most streets in the City of Norwich have sidewalks on at least one side of the street, though many are in poor condition and need replacement, and some areas on the periphery of the city do not have sidewalks. In 2007, the City implemented a long-term residential sidewalk replacement program. Under the program, residential property owners contract with the City for the Department of Public Works (DPW) to install new sidewalk. Since many city children walk to school, the City considers the sidewalk system to be an important piece of the city’s transportation infrastructure. In an effort to improve the overall sidewalk system, the City continues to apply for grant funding assistance through the Safe Routes to Schools program and the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP).

While the city does not currently have a formal bicycle transportation system, most of NYS Route 12 in the city has wide shoulders suitable to accommodate bicycle traffic. Several businesses and institutions provide bike racks. Cycling is also permitted on the Chenango Greenway. Various community health advocacy groups, such as the Chenango Healthy Heart Coalition, promote cycling and walking as important forms of exercise for maintaining good

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139 health. The City is seeking funding opportunities to provide for the installation of a pedestrian bridge across the Canasawacta Creek connecting the Hosbach Trail to Jamba Flats.

Airport The nearest airport is the Lt. Warren Eaton Municipal Airport, located in the Town of North Norwich. The airport serves mainly corporate and privately owned small aircraft. No passenger service airlines provide regularly scheduled service from the airport. However, activity includes business and recreational flying, aerial inspections, police/law enforcement, aerial photography and surveying, career training and education, search and rescue, emergency medical evacuation, environmental patrol, forest firefighting and traffic/news reporting.

General aviation services for the airport are provided by a contract with Flight Services Group. The airport includes one runway that is 4,739 feet long and 75 feet wide at an elevation of 1,025 feet. The airport services corporate and private jets with an all-weather service capability offering charter service, full-service maintenance and jet and aviation fuel. Nearby passenger airports include Binghamton Regional Airport 40 miles from Norwich and Syracuse-Hancock International Airport located 60 miles from the City.

Water and Wastewater The sewer and wastewater systems serve the City of Norwich as well as portions of the Town of Norwich along NYS Routes 12 and 23. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the City conducted a multi-million-dollar overhaul of the community’s water distribution system. While the project made many improvements and replaced some older mains, approximately sixty percent of the system remains in need of replacement. The system capacity is approximately five million gallons per day, while current use is just 0.9 million gallons per day, creating significant excess capacity and an opportunity to attract water intensive industry. The municipal water supply is a mix of about 60% ground and 40% surface water. The ground source of water is drawn from wells immediately north of the Borden Avenue Industrial Area. The surface share is primarily drawn from two reservoirs located in the hills east of the city in the Town of Norwich. The City relies on a combination of both ground and surface supplies for its municipal water. A main surface reservoir is used in conjunction with a series of wells. This system is not used to its capacity and could accommodate future growth. No sources are located where contaminants from potentially polluted sites could infiltrate water supplies and affect public health. Figure 11, “Infrastructure and Utilities Map”, shows the primary infrastructure for Norwich.

Water can also be drawn from Chenango Lake, with the City owning all of the water and most of the bottom of the lake. The lake is located above the reservoirs but connects into the water system independently. The presence of year-round residences located on the lake and limited boating activities provide the potential for water quality issues. Both reservoirs have been identified as needing to be dredged. However, access bridges are old and cannot support heavy equipment needed for dredging and some maintenance activities. The 270 acres surrounding the reservoirs were reforested after being clear-cut in the early part of the 20th century.

The City of Norwich received $1 million from USDA-RD as a grant towards the new water filtration plant which has a membrane microfiltration system that provides water service to 2,800 customers. This facility will replace the existing water filtration plant, which dates to 1904. The

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

existing water filtration plant building is likely to be used as a water department maintenance facility after the new filtration plant is completed.

The City’s wastewater treatment plant was constructed in 1989, though parts of the distribution system date from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The City has separate storm water and wastewater systems and replaces approximately 2,000 feet of sewer mains each year. The City and Town are working cooperatively to facilitate the required water and sewer hookups along Routes 12 and 23 where the lines extend. The extension policy stipulates that all property owners along an extension alignment must hook into the system so that sewer and water collections will be adequate to cover all operating cost of the system. The City operates and maintains the system and conducts the meter reading.

3.2.9 Infrastructure and Utilities

Gas and electric service is provided by New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG). Frontier Communications provides phone service and high-speed DSL internet access. Frontier Communications also offers satellite-based television packages through Direct TV. Wireless internet access is also available in most areas of the city. Cellular service is available through various carriers. Spectrum provides cable service to the city. Both the City and the school district offer community access channels through the cable service. Chenango County owns and maintains a new, state-of-the-art landfill in Pharsalia, in the northwest quadrant of the County. The County also owns and operates two transfer stations, one in Brisben in the southwest section of the County and another in North Norwich. The County operates a recycling program for plastics and newspaper as a part of its waste management program.

3.2.10 Natural Resources and Environmental Features

Streams, Wetlands and Floodplains The City of Norwich is located at the confluence of the Chenango River and Canasawacta Creek. Both streams are a part of the Susquehanna Watershed, and both are designated as “Class B Fresh Surface Water” in the New York State Water Quality Classification System. Class B sets recreation and fishing as the “highest and best use”. The Chenango River and foot trails throughout the river valley formed a major transportation artery for Native American tribes including the Oneidas and Tuscaroras. Figure 12, “Natural Resources and Environmental Features Map”, shows the location of environmentally sensitive resources.

In 1833, the New York State Legislature authorized the construction of the Chenango Canal to join the Erie Canal at a point just west of Utica to the Susquehanna River in Binghamton. When completed in 1837, the canal was 97-miles long, four-feet deep and included 116 locks. The Chenango River and a set of six reservoirs in Madison County provided water for the canal. Though it dramatically improved transportation access to the region, the state abandoned the canal in 1878. Only portions of the canal remain today. The canal segments and rights-of-way that have survived provide opportunities for future trail development.

Much of the City is situated within a FEMA-designated flood hazard area, which requires homebuyers seeking mortgages to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Insurance Program. The city experienced significant flood events in 2005 and 2006. Another flood event in 2011 had little impact on the city, while other areas of the Southern Tier Region were more severely affected. Flood mitigation strategies implemented by the Army Corps of Engineers and the City since the 1950s have drastically reduced the amount and severity of flooding within the city. As part of their mitigation program, the City installed an automated stream level gauge system to provide better advance warning of potential flood events in 2009 and revised the City’s floodplain map in 2010.

The Flood Insurance Rate map (FIRM) for Norwich (not reflected on the natural Resources Map) shows that a great deal of the city falls within a 100-year flood zone, an area where in any given year there is a 1% chance of flooding. The predicted base flood elevation and coinciding flood risk is similar throughout much of the study area, including most of the Borden Ave Industrial Area and Hosbach Trail site. Given their economic and community value, Borden Avenue should still be used to accommodate future commercial and industrial development and the Hosbach Site (apart from several properties along Hale Street) should continue to emphasize and expand public access to the waterfront and other potential recreational resources. The sensitive environmental conditions present throughout the flood zone will continue to require the purchase of flood insurance.

Topography and Soils The City is located in the Chenango River Valley on one of the largest tracts of level, well- drained land in Chenango County. Much of Norwich is built on top of a deposit of glacial till that has been given the name “Chenango Gravelly Silt Loam. This soil type has a top layer of brownish loam to a depth of about eight inches and a subsoil of yellowish, gravelly silt loam of about 36 inches in depth. Underlying material below these layers consists of stratified beds of gravel, sand and silt, providing excellent drainage. Three other soil types with a significant presence in the City include Genesee Silt Loam, Wooster Silt Loam and Lordstown Silt Loam.

Genesee Silt Loam is an alluvial soil typically found in river valleys and is the surface soil through which the Chenango River flows. These soils are generally unsuitable for development due to frequent flooding. Wooster Silt Loam is typical of soils that are found on the lower slopes of gently rolling hills. This soil has good drainage and forms one of the most desirable agricultural lands in the County. The Lordstown Silt Loam is similar to the Wooster with the principal exception that it is essentially a shallow-till soil, generally occupying the upper slopes and hilltops.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

3.3 Economic and Market Trends Analysis

3.3.1 Conditions and Trends

Demographic Analysis

Socioeconomic Conditions The population of the City of Norwich according to the 2010 Census was 7,190 (Table 6). Although the city’s population declined by 5.6% between 1990 and 2010, the number of residents is expected to remain stable in the next five years.

TABLE 7 MARKET AREA POPULATION % Change Market 2020 1990 2000 2010 2015 (est.) 1990- 2000- 2010- 2015- Area (proj.) 2000 2010 2015 2020 City of 7,613 7,355 7,190 7,202 7,222 - - 0.2% 0.3% Norwich 3.4% 2.2% Town of 4,084 3,906 3,998 3,983 3,992 - 2.4% - 0.2% Norwich 4.4% 0.4% Town of 1,998 1,821 1,783 1,799 1,813 - - 0.9% 0.8% North 8.9% 2.1% Norwich Chenango 51,768 51,401 50,477 50,800 51,214 - - 0.6% 0.8% County 0.7% 1.8% New York 17,990,455 18,976,457 19,378,102 19,704,032 20,119,871 5.5% 2.1% 1.7% 2.1% State Source: ESRI, U.S. Census Bureau, and E.M. Pemrick and Company.

The Census Bureau defines a household as all persons who occupy a housing unit. The occupants may be a single family, one person living alone, two or more persons living together, or any other group of individuals who share living arrangements outside of an institutional setting. In 2010, there were 3,097 households residing in the City of Norwich, a 1.1% decline since the previous decennial census (see Table 7).

Nationally, average household sizes have decreased over the last few decades due to an increase in single-parent households, smaller family sizes, and more people living alone. More recently, however, the decline has started to level off. The average household size in the City of Norwich was 2.24 persons in 2010 (see Table 7), a slight increase from the 2.19 persons reported in 2000.

Data from the 2010 Census on the distribution of households by type indicate that 61.6% of the households in the City of Norwich are comprised of two or more people; one-third are married‐ couple families, 20.8% are other family households, and 7.5% are non‐family households. Fully 30% of city households have children under age 18 living at home. Notably, the prevalence of individuals living alone is much higher in the City of Norwich than in any of the comparison areas.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

TABLE 8 MARKET AREA SELECTED HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS, 2010 Town of New City of Town of Chenango North York Norwich Norwich County Norwich State Average Household Size 2.24 2.49 2.49 2.43 2.57 (Persons) Households with 1 Person 38.2% 22.1% 22.5% 27.5% 29.1% Households with 2+ People 61.6% 77.9% 77.5% 72.5% 70.9% Husband-Wife Family 33.3% 53.8% 71.2% 48.9% 43.6% Other Families (No Spouse 20.8% 17.3% 17.2% 16.8% 19.9% Present) 7.5% 6.9% 6.3% 6.7% 7.3% Nonfamily Households All Households With Children 30.2% 32.8% 31.3% 30.1% 31.7% Source: U.S. Census Bureau and E.M. Pemrick and Company.

Age Distribution & Median Age When reviewing demographic trends, it is often useful to look at the distribution of the population by age to assess community needs. Based on 2015 estimates from ESRI, nearly one- third of all residents in the City of Norwich are under age 25; 13.3% are 25 to 34, and 36.0% are between the ages of 35 and 64. Approximately 18% of city residents are age 65 and over. Projections to 2020 indicate that the fastest population growth in the City of Norwich will be among individuals ages 65 to 74 (+10.7%) and age 75 and over (+4.5%), followed by those between the ages of 35 and 44 (+3.9%).

TABLE 9 MARKET AREA MEDIAN AGE % Change 2015 2020 Market Area 2000 2010 2000- 2010- 2015- (est.) (proj.) 2010 2015 2020 City of Norwich 38.9 38.3 38.4 38.8 -1.5% 0.3% 1.0% Town of 40.0 42.0 44.3 45.9 5.0% 5.5% 3.6% Norwich Town of North 36.2 43.2 44.1 46.0 19.3% 2.1% 4.3% Norwich Chenango 38.4 42.9 44.2 45.4 11.7% 3.0% 2.7% County New York State 35.9 37.9 38.7 39.7 5.6% 2.1% 2.6% Source: ESRI, U.S. Census Bureau, and E.M. Pemrick and Company.

The median age of the population in the City of Norwich was 38.3 in 2010 (see Table 8). This figure is close to the New York State median age, but it is lower than in the Towns of Norwich and North Norwich or Chenango County. The city has a higher percentage of residents under age 15 (19.8%) than any of the comparison areas, including the state (17.5%).

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Median Household Income Household income is one of the most important local economic indicators. As shown in Table 9, the City of Norwich has an estimated 2015 median household income of $37,226. Over the last few decades, the median household income in the city has been consistently lower than in the Towns of Norwich and North Norwich. Cities like Norwich often have lower income levels than nearby rural communities because they have a greater number of households living in subsidized rental housing (which tends to be more widely available in urban locations).

TABLE 10 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME 2020 % Change Market Area 2000 2015 (est.) (proj.) 2000-2015 2015-2020 City of Norwich $28,485 $37,226 $41,175 30.7% 10.6% Town of Norwich $35,357 $44,367 $48,224 25.5% 8.7% Town of North Norwich $37,450 $45,242 $50,977 20.8% 12.7% Chenango County $33,679 $44,550 $50,038 32.3% 12.3% New York State $ 43,582 $58,048 $66,766 33.2% 15.0% Source: ESRI, U.S. Census Bureau, and E.M. Pemrick and Company.

Approximately 22% of the households in the City of Norwich have incomes of $75,000 or more per year, while 10.0% have incomes in excess of $100,000 annually. This translates to 677 and 312 households, respectively – relatively small numbers. Affluent households comprise a greater share of households in the two neighboring towns: 28.7% of all households in the Towns of Norwich and North Norwich earn $75,000 or more per year and 14.1% have annual incomes of at least $100,000.

Economic Analysis

Employment The resident labor force is comprised of individuals age 16 and older who are currently employed or unemployed and actively looking for work. An analysis of historical trends indicates that, consistent with population trends, the size of the labor force in Chenango County and the Southern Tier has been stagnant to declining over the last 25 years. Between 1990 and 2015, the resident labor force declined by 8.3% in Chenango County and 8.6% in the region. The Chenango County share of the regional labor force was unchanged at 7.7%.

Unemployment rates in Chenango County over the last 25 years ranged from a low of 4.0% in 2000 to as much as 9.2% in 2010. Unemployment rates in the County tend to be less than a single percentage point higher or lower than state averages. The latest figures from the NYS Department of Labor (August 2017) show unemployment at 4.7% in Chenango County compared to 4.9% in New York State. The unemployment rate in Chenango County is lower than in the neighboring counties of Broome (5.2%) or Delaware (5.3%).

Employment by Industry Table 10 shows employment by industry in Chenango County and the Southern Tier. In 2015, average annual employment in the region was 259,602 and 6.7% of these jobs were in Chenango

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

County. Manufacturing is the county’s largest industry sector, supporting 4,692 jobs and paying nearly $255 million in annual wages. More than half of the employment is in machinery and food manufacturing. Other goods produced locally include pharmaceuticals, transportation equipment, wood products, and metal products. According to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), the number of manufacturing jobs in Chenango County was at an all‐time high in 2014.

Chenango County has a higher share of its employment in the public sector than the region overall. Most of these jobs (3,157) are in local government, including the school districts. Nearly 1,900 jobs (10.6%) in the County are in retail trade, followed by 1,664 (9.5%) in health care and social assistance, and 1,137 (6.5%) in finance and insurance. All three of these industries have a significant presence in the City of Norwich.

Major Employers Major employers in Chenango County, excluding government and public school districts, are shown in Table 11. They include multiple manufacturers, medical and residential care facilities, organizations that serve youth and families, and finance and insurance companies. Chobani, the largest manufacturing company in the Norwich area, was founded in 2005, when it purchased a former Kraft Foods plant in the Town of Columbus. Since then, the Greek yogurt producer has undertaken several phases of expansion, investing millions of dollars in equipment and plant upgrades. In 2009, Chobani established its corporate offices at a former Procter & Gamble facility just outside the city in the Town of Norwich.

Several other manufacturers in the Norwich area have expanded as well. Golden Artist Colors Inc., a producer of acrylic paints for artist, acquired and renovated a 45,000‐square foot industrial building on Hale Street in the City of Norwich as part of a $2.5 million expansion. The company celebrated the opening of its new facility in June 2014. In April 2015, Norwich Pharmaceuticals, a contract pharmaceutical manufacturing business, broke ground on a $26 million expansion of its facility in the Town of North Norwich. Scheduled to be completed in fall 2016, the project includes the purchase and installation of new processing equipment focused on future production needs.

The City of Norwich is the headquarters of NBT Bank which operates in upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, and parts of New England. The company has 160 bank branches with 11 in Chenango County alone. NBT has nearly 650 employees in Norwich and supports many community‐based initiatives.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

TABLE 11 EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY, 2015 ANNUAL AVERAGES Southern Tier Chenango County Industry Sector Region County as % of Region Number Share Number Share Manufacturing 4,692 26.8% 33,751 13.0% 13.9% Total Government 4,127 23.6% 49,962 19.2% 8.3% Retail Trade 1,859 10.6% 30,223 11.6% 6.2% Health Care and Social 1,664 9.5% 36,910 14.2% 4.5% Assistance Finance and Insurance 1,137 6.5% 6,864 2.6% 16.6% Accommodation and Food 795 4.5% 20,867 8.0% 3.8% Services Administrative and Waste 543 3.1% 9,828 3.8% 5.5% Services Other Services 485 2.8% 8,714 3.4% 5.6% Information 464 2.6% 3,689 1.4% 12.6% Construction 457 2.6% 7,690 3.0% 5.9% Professional and Technical 269 1.5% 9,716 3.7% 2.8% Services Wholesale Trade 224 1.3% 7,012 2.7% 3.2% Transportation and Warehousing 182 1.0% 4,945 1.9% 3.7% Management of Companies and 163 0.9% 2,576 1.0% 6.3% Enterprises Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & 130 0.7% 1,726 0.7% 7.5% Hunting Arts Entertainment and 119 0.7% 2,704 1.0% 4.4% Recreation Real Estate and Rental and 92 0.5% 2,551 1.0% 3.6% Leasing Educational Services 53 0.3% 17,271 6.7% 0.3% Mining 8 0.0% 921 0.4% 0.9% Total, All Industries 17,511 100.0% 259,602 100.0% 6.7% Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

TABLE 12 MAJOR EMPLOYERS, GREATER NORWICH/CHENANGO COUNTY Local Employment Company Sector Location Range (Est.) Raymond Corporation 1,000‐2,499 Manufacturing Greene Agro‐Farma / Columbus, 1,000‐2,499 Manufacturing Chobani Norwich(town) NBT Bank 500 ‐ 999 Finance/Insurance Norwich (city) Frontier 250‐499 Information Norwich (city) Communications UHS Chenango Health/Social 250‐499 Norwich (city) Memorial Hospital Services Unison Industries/GE 250‐499 Manufacturing Norwich (town) Aviation Norwich 250‐499 Manufacturing North Norwich Pharmaceuticals Preferred Mutual New Berlin, 250‐499 Finance/Insurance Insurance Co. Norwich(city) CWS Contract Administrative 100‐249 Norwich (city) Packaging Services NBT‐Mang Insurance 100‐249 Finance/Insurance Norwich (city) Norwich (city), New Golden Artist Colors 100‐249 Manufacturing Berlin Snyder 100‐249 Information Norwich (city) Communications Opportunities for Health/Social 100‐249 Norwich (city) Chenango, Inc. Services Walmart Supercenter 100 ‐ 249 Retail Norwich (town) Norwich Aero 100 ‐ 249 Manufacturing Norwich (city) Sheffield Chemical 100 ‐ 249 Manufacturing Norwich (town) Chase Memorial Health/Social 100‐249 New Berlin Nursing Home Services Curtis Lumber 100 ‐ 249 Retail Norwich (city) Norwich Family Health/Social 100‐249 Norwich (city) YMCA Services Valley View Skilled Health/Social Nursing and 100‐249 Norwich (city) Services Rehabilitation Center Catholic Charities of Health/Social 100‐249 Norwich (city) Chenango County Services Source: E.M. Pemrick and Company research.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Economic and Community Development Activity In 2015, Commerce Chenango, Inc. submitted an application on behalf of the Greater Norwich area to the America’s Best Communities (ABC) competition. Sponsored by Frontier Communications and DISH Network, ABC is a $10 million initiative to stimulate economic revitalization in small towns and cities, supporting “the kinds of creativity and innovation that transform communities and result in long term growth.” The grand prize winner receives $3 million to increase economic development and make positive changes within their community. Smaller amounts of money are awarded to semi‐finalists and finalists. The Greater Norwich area was one of 50 communities nationwide to advance to the quarterfinalist round, receiving $50,000 to prepare a revitalization plan outlining the strategic investments to be made should it be selected as “America’s Best.”

Commerce Chenango spearheaded the planning process, working with a wide range of stakeholders, including business owners, educators, elected officials, representatives of not‐for‐ profit organizations, and members of the public. A key initiative in the community revitalization plan was the establishment of an “Innovation Space” in downtown Norwich to support creative thinking, innovation and modernization, and facilitate the development of ideas, processes, and products. The concept was aimed at rekindling the spirit of entrepreneurship that led to the founding of Norwich’s “legacy companies” by creating new opportunities for business development and job creation with a particular focus on local agriculture, food processing and packaging, food and beverage preparation, and advanced manufacturing. Although, the Greater Norwich area was not selected as a semi‐finalist, Commerce Chenango and its partners are interested in pursuing the development of the Innovation Space.

A number of significant economic and community development activities are underway or planned in the City of Norwich and Chenango County with potential impact on the local economy. . Emergence of natural gas industry interest in developing Marcellus Shale gas deposits. . The NYS&W Railroad declared a Suspension of Service which ended rail traffic on the line. . Apple Converting printing company ceased operations at its Hale Street location. . Rite Aid Corporation acquired Eckerd Drugs and consolidated their Norwich presence into one store, leaving one vacant. . Agro-Farma established their corporate headquarters at the former Procter and Gamble site in the Town of Norwich. . The City completed Step 1 of its Brownfields rehabilitation plan and is continuing with Step 2. . Norwich BIDMA, Inc. received three NY Main Street grants totaling $900,000 for downtown rehabilitation. . Byrne Dairy built a new convenience store, gasoline pumps, and laundromat at the corner of East Main Street and Silver Street. . Commerce Chenango conducted two small business development programs. . With the assistance of Restore NY grant funding, the City rehabilitated the former Frames Unlimited building on East Main Street and returned the property to private commercial use.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. CWS constructed a major computer-controlled warehouse addition at its Plant 5 facility on East Main Street.

Market Trends

Commercial Real Estate Market The demand for office space is typically driven by business and employment growth in industries such as information, finance, insurance, and professional and business services. Health care providers, social service agencies, and other kinds of establishments that support local businesses or residents also utilize office space.

Some of these industries have a significant local presence. Chenango County accounts for fully one‐quarter of the telecommunications employment and 16% of the finance and insurance jobs in the Southern Tier with companies like Frontier Communications, NBT Bank and Preferred Mutual Insurance located in the City of Norwich. Employment in other industries, like professional and technical services, is much more limited.

Total employment in office‐using industries in Chenango County has ranged from about 3,100 (2008) to as much as 3,700 (2012). Employment in financial activities has been relatively stable over the years. There has been much more variation in professional and business services, however, particularly in administrative and support services. With the exception of major employers that have their own buildings (e.g., Snyder Communications, NBT, Preferred Mutual), most establishments that require office space in the City of Norwich are small, with no more than 5 employees. As a result, their needs can usually be met by existing structures. In addition, some first‐floor storefronts in the city are being leased to businesses for offices instead of stores due to reduced demand for retail space.

Retail Market Due to the size of the market, there is no centralized database or market survey conducted to indicate the supply of office space, vacancy rates, or rent levels in the City of Norwich or Chenango County. The only data available was extracted from tax records which identify primary uses by assigning property type classification codes to each parcel as part of the real property assessment process.

Based on the properties classified as 464 (Office Building) or 465 (Professional Building), the office market in the City of Norwich consists of approximately 400,000 square feet of space. The buildings range in size from 1,378 to an estimated 200,000 square feet, but only five of them exceed 10,000 square feet. The largest office building in the city is the Eaton Center complex which has Class A office space available in a variety of sizes. With tenants that include medical practices and professional service providers, the Eaton Center has a fitness center, conference rooms, and other business amenities onsite. It also offers ample off‐street parking.

Based on data from the most recent Economic Census, the City of Norwich had $91.4 million in retail sales in 2012. Approximately 35% of the sales were from motor vehicles and part dealers and gas stations. Between 2002 and 2012, retail sales in the city declined 7.4% from $98.6 million as the store count dropped from 59 to 38. Chenango County experienced a 42% increase

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

in retail sales (from $359.9 million to $512.8 million) during the same period despite a net loss of 26 stores. Sales figures are not available from the Economic Census for most types of establishments in the City of Norwich due to the small numbers. It is estimated, however, that total restaurant sales in the city were approximately $11 million from 19 eating and drinking places counted in 2012.

The preliminary review of the available economic data implies that the City of Norwich has lost its share of the retail market in Chenango County over the last 10 to 15 years. From about 50% in the 1990s, the city’s share of total retail sales in the county declined to 27.4% in 2002 and to 17.8% in 2012. There are also fewer stores in the City of Norwich. Despite a decrease in the number of eating and drinking establishments, the city accounted for an estimated 35% of the county’s restaurant sales in 2012. The food service industry may be a potential niche area for the city.

As part of a 2001 survey, greater Norwich area residents were asked what they most disliked about downtown Norwich. The top responses included the need for more stores, a lack of child- friendly businesses and activities, and too many empty storefronts. Over the last 15 years, the retail sector in the city has further shrunk in size, greatly reducing the level of critical mass necessary for long‐term sustainability. In the current industry climate, developing additional retail opportunities in the City of Norwich will be challenging. However, retail activity in the city could be enhanced through strategies to expand foot traffic, increase tourism, and encourage buying locally. Drawing more people to Norwich for performances, festivals, and events would also help support local restaurants.

Tourism Market A major barrier to economic development in Norwich has been accommodating business travelers and tourists with quality lodging. The Howard Johnson Hotel on North Broad Street and the Splendor Inn, a Bed & Breakfast, are the only lodging options in the City. A Super 8 and Fred’s Inn, an independent hotel, are nearby, but are located in the Town of Norwich. The current stock of lodging in the City of Norwich and Chenango County is unable to compete with more desirable regional options in Cooperstown, Oneonta, Hamilton, and the Binghamton and Utica metro areas. In 2014, Commerce Chenango commissioned a study to analyze the market demand for lodging in Chenango County and make recommendations. Noting that 70% of the County’s major employers are in the Norwich area, the consultant who prepared the study initially focused on the area within a 30‐ minute drive of Norwich. This geographic area was later expanded to 45 minutes, as lodging demand increases during the spring and summer when there are college graduations, sports activities, seasonal festivals, and other events taking place in adjacent counties.

Based on one‐on‐one interviews with community and business leaders, information on primary target markets, an evaluation of the existing lodging supply, and an assessment of demand drivers, the study concluded: . Chenango County “has lost market share due to a reputation for poor quality among the existing brand name hotels, lack of a ‘popular’ flag hotel property with an on‐site restaurant, small independent lodging facilities that don’t have high visibility among new

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

visitors, and intense competition from name brand chain hotels in nearby communities,” resulting in lost business revenues and sales tax. . The quality of lodging “does not meet the needs and expectations of the key target market groups, particularly the business community, which measurably impacts year‐around occupancy rates”. . Chenango County is missing opportunities to capitalize on the success of county‐wide events to attract overnight visitors traveling in groups to the region and to stimulate additional growth of the tourism industry. . With improved customer service, major renovations and upgrades to meet the expectations of today’s lodging consumers, and/or the development of a new hotel property, the County should be able to capture the growing leisure market and recapture lost corporate lodging activity.

Residential Market The following is a list of the key demographic and socioeconomic indicators for the defined residential market area: . According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the residential market area contained 12,971 persons and 5,358 households in 2010, accounting for approximately 26% of all households in Chenango County. The Environmental Science Research Institute (ESRI) projects that the number of households in the residential market area will increase by less than 2% by 2020. . Nearly two‐thirds of households in the residential market area are comprised of just one or two individuals, while 15% have three people. Roughly 31% of households have related children under age 18, a slight decline from 32.7% in 2000. 27.8% of households include at least one individual age 65 and over. . Households in the residential market area are generally concentrated in the low‐ to moderate income brackets. Based on 2015 estimates, 32.2% earn less than $25,000 per year while 27.1% earn between $25,000 and $49,999 per year. This could be explained in part by the relatively large share of households made up of one or two people. The median household income in the City of Norwich is an estimated $40,513. The Chenango County median household income is $44,550. . Consistent with national trends, the residential market area is experiencing an increase in the number of householders (heads of household) age 65 and older. Households headed by seniors accounted for 22.9% of total households in 2010. By 2015, the number had increased to an estimated 27.6%. There has also been a slight increase in householders under age 25. . Within the residential market area, the highest rates of homeownership are among householders in the 45‐54, 55‐64, and 65‐74 age brackets. In contrast, households headed by individuals under age 25 and (to a lesser extent) between ages 25 and 34 are much more likely to be renters. Notably, rates of homeownership remain high among householders over age 75.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Housing

Housing Characteristics The age, variety and condition of the housing stock in a community provide the basis for attractive, viable neighborhoods. The characteristics of the existing housing stock in the residential market are described below: . According to the 2010 Census, the residential market area has a total of 5,910 housing units, a decline of 93 units from 2000. Of this total, 56.8% are owner‐occupied, 33.8% are renter‐occupied, and 9.3% are vacant. The area has experienced a slow but steady decline in the proportion of housing units that are owner‐occupied, from 57.6% in 2000. . Estimates from the American Community indicate that the majority of housing units in the residential market area, 56.0%, are in single‐family structures, 30.7% are in multi‐ family buildings, and 13.3% are mobile homes. All of the structures containing ten or more housing units are in the City of Norwich. . The homeownership rate in the residential market area as of 2010 is 62.7%. The City of Norwich has the lowest rate of homeownership at 46.6%. . Between 2000 and 2010, according to the decennial Census, the total number of owner- occupied units in the residential market area declined by 101 units (‐2.9%), while the number of renter‐occupied units increased by 51 (+2.6%). There was an 11.5% decrease in the number of vacant housing units. Estimates for 2015 suggest that these trends are continuing. . Overall, the largest share of occupied housing units in the residential market area was built before 1940 (46.2% of the total), followed by the 1970s (15.0%) and the 1950s (9.3%). In the City of Norwich, fully 65% of the occupied housing units are over 70 years old.

As of 2010, there were 2,000 housing units occupied by renters in the residential market area (primarily in the City of Norwich), and 61.2% of these were built prior to 1960. Census data indicate that no new rental housing units were constructed in the area between 2000 and 2010. The significant proportion of older housing units, especially rental units, indicates a potential need for rehabilitation and/or replacement units. Some housing rehabilitation has been conducted using funding provided by the state, but the need far exceeds the resources available. . According to the 2014 Comprehensive Plan update, there are approximately 550 subsidized rental units in the City of Norwich, 51% of them occupied by seniors. Subsidized housing facilities are owned and managed by multiple organizations, including the Norwich Housing Authority, Opportunities for Chenango Inc., and the Chenango Housing Improvement Program. Some of them have waiting lists for subsidized housing. . The rental vacancy rate in the residential market area was 6.6% in 2010, down from 12.2% in 2000. These figures are based on the number of vacant units classified as available for rent at the time of the Census in April 2010. . The median monthly gross rent for rental housing in 2010 was $582 in the City of Norwich, $675 in the Town of Norwich, and $752 in the Town of North Norwich. The monthly rent for market rate housing units in the city is roughly $600‐$700 today.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. The 2015 median value of owner‐occupied homes in the residential market area is estimated at $84,140, with an average value of $105,596. Nearly two‐thirds of the owner‐ occupied homes are valued at less than $100,000.

Residential Construction Trends The U.S. Census Bureau’s data on the number of authorized residential building permits indicates limited new construction activity in the City of Norwich and in Chenango County since 2010. Between 2010 and 2015, approximately 197 permits were issued for single‐family housing in Chenango County. Only 7 of permits were for new units in the City of Norwich.

During the same time period, 89 building permits were issued for multi‐family structures in Chenango County. All but two of the buildings authorized had five units or more for a total of 681 housing units. The City of Norwich accounted for four multi‐family structures, or 70 housing units.

Housing Demand Despite relatively high vacancy rates, the City of Norwich Comprehensive Plan found that “housing professionals report a shortage of quality units in all market sectors (for‐sale, rental, affordable, market rate and senior)”. The plan also cited a county housing needs study from 2003 that identified an unmet need for assisted living facilities for seniors.

Vacant and underutilized sites with housing development potential include the Unguentine Building off South Broad Street, the former Morrisville State College building at 14‐16 South Broad, and the former Ward Schools #1 and #5 on South Broad Street and East Main Street respectively. Residential use of most of these properties would require zoning variances from the City. Substantial funding resources would be necessary for the redevelopment and reuse of these buildings. As was stated in a 2015 community assessment completed by the Chenango County Head Start Program (operated by Opportunities for Chenango), the age of the housing stock in the City of Norwich makes housing rehabilitation funding an ongoing need.

3.3.2 Findings Summary

The Economic and Market Trends Analysis analyzes demographic characteristics, economic conditions, industry trends, and real estate market conditions, and is designed to identify potential opportunities for the proposed BOA study area. The full study is presented in Appendix D. Key observations and conclusions are listed below: . Low median household income levels and the limited financial assets of residents in the City restrict consumer spending potential. There is a need to attract consumers from the surrounding area and capitalize on the large number of people who work in Norwich but live elsewhere. The development of quality market-rate rental housing in the City could help to attract or retain young professionals who would spend money at local businesses. . Retail development along Route 12 in the Town of Norwich has had a long-term negative impact on the City, drawing businesses, customers, and traffic away from the downtown commercial district. The number of retailers in the City is less than half what it was in 1997, and the City’s share of total retail sales in Chenango County has fallen below 20% (from about 50% in the 1990s). Despite a decrease in the number of eating and drinking

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

places, the City accounts for an estimated 35% of the county’s restaurant sales. Food service establishments may be a potential niche area for the City. . The retail trade area, defined as being within a 30-minute drive time of downtown Norwich, encompasses almost all of Chenango County and parts of southwestern Otsego County. Although population trends are similar to those in the City, the trade area has a higher percentage of married-couple families with children, a larger share of households in peak earning years (ages 35-54), and a much higher rate of homeownership than the City overall. . Norwich has many long-running, highly successful festivals and events that draw residents and visitors to the city. These include the Chenango Blues Festival, Gus Macker Basketball Tournament, Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, and the Chenango County Fair. However, the lack of quality lodging in the City serves as a major barrier to increasing the economic impact of tourism and business travel. . Although the size of the resident labor force has been stagnant to declining over the last 25 years, unemployment rates in Chenango County are typically close to state averages and the manufacturing sector is in relatively good shape with several companies investing in expansion projects. . Agriculture, especially dairy farming, represents a major component of the Chenango County economy. Local leaders and organizations recognize the need to promote agricultural economic development and improve the economics of farming. Vacant and underutilized industrial buildings in the City of Norwich, especially those with rail access, could be used for the distribution and processing of local agricultural products. . With the exception of large employers like NBT Bank that have their own buildings, most businesses that utilize offices are small and their needs can usually be met by existing structures in the City. As a result, there is little unmet demand for office space. . The industrial real estate market in Norwich is characterized as “very soft.” Buildings suitable for manufacturing and warehousing generally sit on the market for long periods of time. A property that housed Norwich Aero until parent company Esterline relocated its operations to Mexico has been vacant since June 2016 and the price has been reduced from $1,495,000 to $799,000. . Housing issues in the City of Norwich include a shortage of quality rental units – more than two-thirds of rental housing units are more than 50 years old – and the need for senior housing, including assisted living facilities. There is also an ongoing need for funding to make repairs and improvements to the large number of older housing units.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

SECTION 4 THE NORWICH REVITALIZATION PLAN

4.1 Description and Analysis of Opportunities and Recommendations

The narrative below contains a detailed description and analysis of opportunities and redevelopment potential for properties located within the BOA. Emphasis is on the identification and reuse potential of strategic sites that may be catalysts for revitalization. This section also outlines recommended initiatives for economic development for the City of Norwich.

Opportunity #1 – Application for Step 3 - Implementation Strategy and Site Assessments

Upon receipt and acceptance of a satisfactory Nomination (Step 2), Norwich will be eligible to apply for additional funding to advance this project to complete a Step 3-Implementation Strategy and/or Site Assessments. The Implementation Strategy provides a description of the full range of techniques and actions, ranging from actions and projects that can be undertaken immediately to those which have a longer time-frame, that are necessary to implement the area- wide plan and to ensure that proposed uses and improvements materialize.

Recommendation Seek advice and assistance from NYSDOS on the next round of funding through the NYSDOS Brownfields Program for Step 3 - Implementation Strategy and Site Assessments. Follow through with the preparation of an application for grant funding to implement the recommendations in this plan.

Opportunity #2 – Create a Powerful and Unified Marketing Message for the City

The City is undergoing a new vibrancy brought on by a stable group of entrepreneurs and a high quality of life for residents not experienced in other places. However, the need for goods and services in the downtown has shifted in the last 20 years and it is challenging to keep up with the needs and demands of visitors and residents. The City needs to customize its message after answering some key questions: . What is the Norwich “fit” into the regional economic development strategy? . What distinguishes Norwich from other places? . What makes Norwich worth the trip? . What is Norwich’s “missing ingredients”?

Recommendation Develop and implement a regional branding and promotion program that will serve as a unifying strategy to promote the region’s quality of life and capacity for innovation. Ideally, it will ignite a strong community pride campaign that builds leadership and entrepreneurship, and results in successful branding through local ambassadors. The branding and marketing plan should focus on the downtown core, Museum District, Heritage Block, and signature cultural events and festivals. Involve stakeholders and assign roles that will address print and social media marketing, branding, and target markets.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Opportunity #3 – Fully Develop and Implement Plans for the Museum District

The Museum District Overlay is designed to encourage new construction and renovation that is consistent with that area’s historical heritage. This overlay encompasses a cluster of identified sites along Lee Avenue and State Street. The Historic District Overlay exists on two distinctive districts - the Chenango County Courthouse Historic District and the North Broad Street Historic District. These districts help to recognize and preserve the highly valued historic and cultural places.

Recommendations Create a sense of arrival for the Museum District through the streetscape improvement plan provided in this document. Continue to advance the streetscape concept for the Museum District. Provide an updated cost estimate for improvements (see Appendix E for concept and 2014 cost estimate). Seek funding for implementation of the recommended improvements. Continue working with the Northeast Classic Car Museum to grow it into a major year-around regional destination and creating other tourism venues and destinations that will attract year- around visitors. Seek funding for tourism and marketing of the Museum District through Empire State Development and others. Consider developing a new special district from North Broad to Silver Street.

FIGURE 3 - MUSEUM DISTRICT STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS (2014)

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Opportunity #4 – Implement the Heritage Block Redevelopment Project

The Heritage Block consists of several deteriorated commercial structures and an interior parking area. The project involves the renovation of six buildings for mixed‐use development, as well as the redesign and construction of a shared parking lot between Lackawanna Avenue and Mechanic Street. The owners of 42 and 44‐46 North Broad Street plan to establish a brewpub and a ground-floor “100‐Mile Market” that offers food products from within a 100‐mile radius. The new investment will help to revitalize an area of North Broad Street that has many vacant commercial properties.

Recommendations Advance the planned elements in the Concept Plan developed for the Heritage Block Redevelopment and continue to support the 100-Mile Market and brewpub proposed as part of the Heritage Block. Update the cost estimate and outline a strategy to implement the plan.

FIGURE 4 - HERITAGE BLOCK STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS (2015)

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Opportunity #5 – Develop a Feasibility Plan for the Development of Borden Avenue Industrial Area

The Borden Avenue Industrial Area contains about 50 acres of underutilized land and structures and represents an opportunity for land uses that would not be appropriate anywhere else. However, significant drawbacks to the site are the lack of availability of natural gas and the need to extend municipal sewer and water from Borden Avenue (lines do exist to the two active onsite warehouses). Only three businesses are in operation at the site and all are part of buildings that are underutilized. An active rail line will be back in operation through the area, but there is not an appropriate staging area for rail car maintenance and the loading and unloading of rail cars and trailers. Large-scale industrial development in the area is no longer feasible. Any plans for the site should transition away from the traditional industrial development model and into a sustainable contemporary model that considers local and regional trends for goods and services.

Despite the previous uses and current condition of the Borden Avenue Industrial Area, there are no known contaminants at any site according to the NYSDEC. The Borden Avenue Industrial Area is ideal for new development due to its location, size, nearby availability of sewer and water lines, small number of existing uses, simple construction of existing structures, large number of vacant properties, and the lack of known contaminants.

Leveraging the global reach and strengths of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, together with the region’s natural assets and strong private sector investment, a strategic mix of projects have the capacity to transform and grow agriculture and food production, processing and distribution across the region, while also strengthening links to growing tourism and manufacturing industries.

Recommendations Develop a feasibility study with local and regional partners to determine the best set of sustainable uses for the Borden Avenue Industrial Area and explore funding through the Empire State Development Block Program for implementation. Ideas from other planning documents suggest the following combination of uses or alternative uses for the site: . Determine the feasibility of a food production, food processing and greater agricultural economic development hub. Uses for the site could include a distribution center and wholesaler of agricultural and food products, greenhouses for urban agriculture, a solar farm, tree and shrub farm and any ancillary businesses. Use the 2014-2020 County Economic Development Strategic Plan and the 2012 Chenango County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan Update as a framework. . Promote Norwich as the center of the County’s 2015 Greater Norwich Community Revitalization Plan farm-to-table initiative. Utilize Southern Tier URI Plan grant funds designated for agricultural initiatives and capitalize on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s investment strategy for pilot initiatives. Consider a partnership with the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Cornell University to expand the program to local communities. . Perform a needs assessment to market the site for paper products, printing and ancillary businesses. Build a relationship with other printing and paper products service providers

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

in the city and the region such as Chenango Union Printing Inc. and The Label Gallery. Partner with the County’s initiative to support the development and expansion of forestry industries. Research the Southern Tier URI Plan grant funds designated for agricultural initiatives to see if they apply to the site proposal. . Determine the feasibility of a technology business and small scale manufacturing center for industries such as telecommunications, utility providers and contractors, computer and electronics services and distributers, and pharmaceuticals and medical devices. . Rail access is an opportunity that could further develop the existing relationships between Chenango County farms and world-class restaurants in urban centers. Initiate a feasibility study that assesses the location and means for establishing an active rail line and loading dock in the Borden Avenue Industrial Area.

Opportunity #6 – Recapture Lost Corporate Lodging Demand and the Growing Leisure Market

Norwich draws residents and visitors to the city from its long-running, highly successful festivals and events plus the Northeast Classic Car Museum. However, the lack of quality lodging in the City serves as a major barrier to increasing the economic impact of tourism and business travel. Progress on this front has been incrementally positive. A plan to renovate the Howard Johnson Hotel and rebrand it as a Best Western is presently on hold, however, a private developer is proposing to purchase the vacant former Morrisville College property at 14-16 S. Broad Street and transform it into an approximately 60-room hotel.

Recommendations Increase the number of rooms and variety of overnight accommodations by attracting and supporting development teams to build a combination of basic and boutique B&BS, small hotels, and “flag” hotels. Investigate the feasibility of marketing the existing stock of Victorian and other architecturally-unique houses as a B&B cluster in the city of Norwich.

Opportunity #7 – Support Entrepreneurship and Create New Opportunities for Business Development and Job Creation

Norwich displays an ability to draw new businesses to the City and expand those that exist may help to address the underrepresented retail sector in Norwich and Chenango County. A desire was also expressed by the community to see an overall improvement of the economic base in Norwich by developing niche markets and forming a tech-based sector within the City.

Recommendations Pursue and seek funding for a center such as the “Innovation Space” concept proposed in the 2015 America’s Best Communities application by Commerce Chenango with other partners. This center would be designed to foster ideas, incubate start-up businesses, and improve career mobility. The Entrepreneur Makers Space in Ithaca is a successful example of a center that has already successfully taken two products to market. Study the feasibility of a workforce development and manufacturing training center with a connection to the SUNY at Morrisville Norwich campus. Consider including a small business and start-up incubator along with rental commercial lab and demonstration spaces. Approach existing regional pharmaceutical and medical science businesses such as Kerry Bio-Science and Norwich Pharma Services to perform

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

a needs assessment as part of the overall feasibility study. Form a partnership with local authorities, Commerce Chenango, the County, and the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Corporation to complete the feasibility study, to receive small business development and marketing support, and for assistance with the site planning process. Review the guidelines laid out in the 2009 BOA Pre-Nomination Study, the 2011-2016 REDC Southern Tier Strategic Economic Development Plan, and the 2015 Southern Tier Upstate Revitalization Initiative Plan.

Opportunity #8 - Bring Recreation to the Waterfront

The Chenango River and Canasawacta Creek provide good opportunities for expanded recreational access in the City of Norwich. Currently there is no official kayak or non-motorized boat points of access in the city. The current Riverwalk Trail or “Hosbach Trail” and the Chenango Greenway Conservancy Trail represent a network of unconnected trail segments along Chenango River. There is opportunity to extend and connect the trail system along Chenango River and Canasawacta Creek for expanded year round recreation. The Chenango River was named an official “inland waterway” by the state in 2017 and is therefore eligible for NYSDOS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) funding.

Recommendations The City should study the feasibility of formally connecting the Hosbach Trail and Chenango Greenway Conservancy Trail to develop a comprehensive trail loop system with a single identifying brand with unified signage. Possible additional links to local parks and recreational facilities should be considered during the feasibility study. The following are recommendations for the feasibility study, trail planning, and funding mechanisms for the completion of the City of Norwich waterfront recreation system: . Create an inventory of properties where easements may be necessary. Seek funding through the NYSDOS LWRP in the 2018 CFA funding round. . Complete a feasibility plan for the establishment of a water trail with appropriate access points and amenities along Chenango River and Canasawacta Creek. . Seek grant funding through the NYSDOS LWRP in the 2018 CFA funding round. . Perform general trail maintenance and improvements to the existing trailhead and trail. Develop new signage on the trail and provide wayfinding signage for visitors and residents of Norwich. . Improve existing lighting and provide additional lighting where needed. . Address parking issues and provide appropriate wayfinding to direct visitors to the parking areas. . Market the trail as a regional attraction. Create a trail map to distribute to local businesses, historic society, and municipal offices. Request assistance from the County and Southern Tier region to develop a marketing campaign and promotional materials for the trail system

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Opportunity #9 –Develop Additional Types of Housing and Improve the Condition of the Existing Housing Stock

According to the City of Norwich Comprehensive Plan, “housing professionals report a shortage of quality units in all market sectors (for‐sale, rental, affordable, market rate and senior),” in spite of relatively high vacancy rates. The plan also cited county‐wide housing needs study from 2003 that identified an unmet need for assisted living facilities for seniors.

Vacant and underutilized sites with housing development potential include the Unguentine Building off South Broad Street and former Ward Schools #1 and #5 on South Broad and East Main. Residential use of most of these properties would require zoning variances from the city; moreover, substantial funding resources would be necessary for redevelopment and reuse. Given the age of the housing stock in the City of Norwich, housing rehabilitation funding to make necessary repairs and improvements remains an ongoing need.

Recommendations Develop a 10-year housing plan that supports and incentivizes rental property development/redevelopment specifically targeting low-moderate income individuals, senior citizen, young professionals, executives, and future students. Develop market-rate rental housing for young professionals on upper stories of downtown buildings. Recruit a developer to repurpose Ward Schools #1 and #5 into apartments. Initiate program to bring downtown apartments in upper stories up to modern building codes. Continue to Administer and Implement Existing Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Restore New York Grants for Construction Rehabilitation Projects. The City should renew the effort to pass and implement a historic preservation ordinance as well.

Opportunity #10 – Employ feasible Main Street Revitalization Techniques and Programs to Enhance Norwich’s downtown.

The Central Business District of the City of Norwich encompasses the area from Mitchell Street to Eaton Avenue along Broad Street. Broad Street has a strong sense of place. The open storefronts were well-maintained, signage was consistent and clearly visible, and seasonal banners and wreaths hang from the light posts. The few vacant storefronts and vacant buildings suggest that the major issue for the Downtown is getting passersby to stop and shop.

Recommendations Conduct an evaluation of the downtown streetscape that includes identifying the gaps in pedestrian comfort and safety, business beautification and identity, elements of unification, and strong arrival signage. Seek funding to implement comprehensive streetscape improvements throughout the downtown. Develop a long-range plan to demolish, rehabilitate, and reconstruct vacant and underutilized properties through Restore New York grants. Develop a comprehensive list of businesses that the City would like to have in the downtown and put this list on the website. Based on feedback received from the community in past planning endeavors the list should include:

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

. Apparel stores: e.g., larger women’s clothing, clothing for teenagers, little kids’ clothes, bridal clothing, moderately-priced clothing, shoe store. Could be a “community-owned department store” like the one in the Village of Saranac Lake . Coffee shop/bookstore or coffee roaster . Old-fashioned hardware store . A sporting goods store . More restaurant options such as a café in the Museum District . Microbrewery . Activities for kids beyond team sports and after school destination for middle school kids.

Opportunity #11 – Develop and Implement a Population Action Plan

Although the city’s population declined by 5.6% between 1990 and 2010, the number of residents is expected to remain stable in the next five years. Still, the number of young people and families appears to be in decline. While this is also a regional trend, a significant effort should be launched to attempt to reverse the trend and re-energize the city. A population action plan should have a regional approach, involve partners, and focus on retention, recruitment and repatriation of both young families and empty nesters.

Recommendations Identify actions to attract skilled entrepreneurial young people and empty nesters who would be attracted to outstanding recreational opportunities, energy efficiencies, and general quality of life of the community. Identify actions to retain youth and the skilled workforce. Identify specific actions to repatriate people who once lived in Norwich.

4.2 Implementation Strategy

The Implementation Strategy consists of actions that the City of Norwich can continue or initiate on their own without outside funding and actions that will require funding assistance. Where possible these resources are identified in 4.1 above.

BOA Step 3 Upon acceptance of the City of Norwich BOA Draft Nomination Study by the Department of State, the City can begin the third step of the BOA program to undertake implementation activities. The efforts outlined within this Implementation Strategy include those actions to be included in the final phase of the BOA process. As part of a series of next steps, the City should begin to organize select staff and stakeholders to undertake critical decision making regarding implementation projects. A standing committee that reports to the City Council should be established that will take the lead on project development.

Review and Revision The City must continuously analyze the recommendations made within the Revitalization Plan and revise priorities for individual sites as conditions shift or change. This will require regular staff involvement and oversight of the Plan’s implementation. As part of this process, the City should highlight one or two projects each year to organize and initiate. A written record should

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

be kept of the progress and standing of all recommended projects in terms of where they are in the planning and development phases, and the source and level of funding.

Marketing Tool This Nomination Study is also a “Revitalization Study” and should be utilized in marketing and efforts with residents, area investors, and other City, federal, and state agencies. Such an effort will help carry momentum forward into implementation projects, and may also provide additional opportunities for financial, technical, and public support.

High Impact Projects The City should seek to identify projects that can be accomplished in the short-term with limited funding and providing maximum impact. The implementation of the improvements to the streetscape of the Museum District that will provide a unified look will signal commitment and momentum that will very likely translate into additional public and private investment at this site and spur changes in other areas of the city. Also, completing a full hike/bike trail along the Chenango River could be funded through the NYSDOS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program which has only a 25% local match requirement. Funding Projects and Initiatives Funding for BOA initiatives will come from public and private resources. Timing and levels of investment will be predicated on numerous issues beyond the control of City staff, including the disposition of State and Federal budgets and the regional and national economic outlook. In addition, the availability of financing and the costs of investment will also dictate the extent and timing with of private sector involvement. The City will be required to marshal a consistent level of public dollars in the beginning stages of implementation in an effort to reduce private sector risk and lure investment.

Funding for this high impact projects can come from more traditional sources, such as the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, New York Main Street Program, and Community Development Block Grants. Many projects discussed will require additional investigations for feasibility and design alternatives. Spending for these pre-development initiatives will be dependent upon public financing and grants. These monies serve to reduce upfront risk and investment by private developers. Grant funding sources are constantly changing, with available monies becoming increasingly competitive as the State and Federal governments continue to decrease spending. The City should maximize their competitive position by leveraging the planning process and community commitment outlined in the BOA Nomination Study.

Downtown Revitalization Initiative Now in its second year, Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), is transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant communities where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise families. Participating communities are nominated by the state’s ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) based on the downtown’s potential for transformation, and each community is awarded $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community’s vision for revitalization. Nearby City of Oneonta was a recipient in 2016 and could serve as a mentor for the process.

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

Communities interested in downtown revitalization may apply for funding from other eligible state programs that promote revitalization. Examples include the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program at the Department of State, Restore NY at Empire State Development, and the New York Main Street program at the Division of Housing and Community Renewal. State funding initiatives included in the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) provide priority consideration to projects and proposals which demonstrate they will advance downtown revitalization through transformative housing, economic development, transportation and community projects that will attract and retain residents, visitors and businesses. The following is a brief overview of key funding programs in existence as of 2011and important factors for consideration during the application process.

New York State Environmental Protection Fund The NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) was created in 1996 as part of a statewide bonding initiative. This fund is utilized by two primary grant programs: the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP); and the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Program (OPRHP). The NYSDOS administers LWRP funding, which can be utilized for waterfront improvement projects in conjunction with an approved LWRP document. Funding availability announcements are made annually with applications due in July.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) administers a separate EPF grant program focusing on the acquisition, preservation and construction of park and historic preservation projects. This funding program supports the purchase of property and easements, the construction of public parks, and the preservation of historic resources and structures. NYS Parks EPF program fund applications are due in July each year. Applicants can utilize other local, state, federal and in-kind funds towards their dollar for dollar match, and must be capable of funding the entire project prior to requesting reimbursement.

New York Main Street Program The New York Main Street (Main Street) Program is funded by the NYS Housing Trust Fund and administered by the Office of Community Renewal. The Main Street Program mainly supports investment in private property. To meet the stringent requirements related to housing affordability, most successful projects will be those that concentrate on subsidized residential rehabilitations and infill development. Funding opportunities through this program are typically announced each January, with applications due in April. Main Street funding is also flexible, yet requires proof of committed investment by other state, federal or private sources. Similar to EPF programs, Main Street is also a reimbursement program, with varying levels of match dependent upon project type.

NYS Community Development Block Grant Program The New York State Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) is also funded by the NYS Housing Trust Fund and administered by the Office of Community Renewal. The CDBG program provides funding for accessible and affordable housing, drinking water and wastewater projects, and needed public facilities. CDBG funding is available via two funding programs: Annual Competitive; and Open Round Economic Development. The Annual Competitive Round of CDBG funding can be utilized for housing rehabilitation (affordable), public facilities and public infrastructure (water/sewer only).

City of Norwich Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program – Step 2 Nomination Plan: December 2017 Revitalization Plan Contract No. C1000139

The Open Economic Development Round of CDBG funding can provide financial assistance directly to businesses which will result in the creation or retention of jobs. Additionally, these funds can be utilized to construct publicly owned infrastructure necessary to support the creation or expansion of a business. The required matching funds for Open Round Economic Development Round funding vary by project type from 10 percent to 60 percent.

Local Government Efficiency The Local Government Efficiency (LGE) Program provides technical assistance and grants to local governments for the development of projects that will achieve savings and improve municipal efficiency through shared services, cooperative agreements, mergers, consolidations and dissolutions.

Community Services The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a federal anti-poverty program administered by the Department of State since 1982. Its purpose is to provide assistance to states and local communities working through a network of community action agencies (CAAs) and other neighborhood organizations for reduction of poverty, revitalization of low-income communities and empowerment of low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient.

Appalachian Regional Commission All communities in Chenango County are within the boundary of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government established by the Federal Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. Its goal is to improve the economy and quality of life in Appalachia by providing funding and technical assistance for projects in areas such as business development, education and job training, telecommunications, infrastructure, community development, housing, and transportation. Program grants are awarded to state and local agencies and governmental entities (such as economic development authorities), local governing boards (such as county councils), and nonprofit organizations (such as schools and organizations that build low-cost housing). Contracts are awarded for research on topics that directly impact economic development in the Appalachian Region. ARC makes a wide range of grants to public and private nonprofit organizations to help firms create and retain jobs in the Region. Examples of grants include: industrial site development; business incubators; special technical assistance and training; and expansion of domestic and foreign markets.